Sportscotland was due to be scrapped under a cull of quangos promised by the Scottish National Party when it took power in May.
However, the staging of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the London Olympics spiralling budget convinced ministers that the national body should be kept to drive forward improvements.
Sportscotland invests millions of pounds from the Scottish Government and the lottery to improve facilities and boost sport in communities – but has faced criticism over its budgeting and missed targets.
Sports Minister Stewart Maxwell told MSPs the outcome of a review into the future of Sportscotland would be known within weeks.
Mr Maxwell said “We are committed to improving sport in Scotland, the needs of sport are central to our decision-making process. I believe that we are beginning to get the building blocks into place which will...reinforce Scotland's place as a truly sporting nation”.
