The report, released on Tuesday, recommends the Government plough more dollars towards mainstream, high participation sports that are part of the "national ethos", like AFL, rugby league and cricket.

To highlight the point, the report found archery � an Olympic sport �received more government money than cricket, a sport with 100 times as many participants.

But Griffith City Sports Council chairman Lou Testoni said the report's "get professional or get out" mentality seriously underestimated the nation's love of the Olympics.

"You look at what happens at Olympic time ... there's a buzz and a hype and it boosts confidence in the community," Testoni said.

"Especially in smaller country areas, it plays a substantial role in keeping communities alive. It brings the nation together in a way that an AFL or an NRL final just can't."

Testoni said the real focus of the debate should be the funding ratio at the elite and the grassroots level.

"We have to put more money in at a grassroots level because if we don't foster a sport at the junior level, it will die," he said.

Griffith Sporting Shooters Association president Warren Brown said the emphasis of funding should be on participation, not professionalism.

"Of course we should be supporting and encouraging our elite sportspeople but we should also put funds into encouraging everyone to participate and live a long and healthy life," Brown said.

"That would save the Government a lot of money on future medical expenses.

"I just think there should be more money for sport across the board and certainly for Olympic sports like shooting."

Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the report is its criticism of the Australian Olympic Committee's quest to return to the top five in the Olympic medal count. The report says that target is not sensible, nor an appropriate measure of Australia's sporting success.

Griffith and District Soccer Association president Angelo Dotta welcomed the report, saying while he didn't agree "marginal sports" should have funding decreased, mainstream sports like soccer deserved a bigger slice of the pie.

"Soccer does deserve its fair share," Dotta.

"I think, in a sense, the Olympics has lost its way. It used to be for amateurs but now almost any sport can qualify."