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Alexei Dyumin chaired the first meeting of the working group to prepare a meeting of the Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sport, scheduled for October. In line with the President’s decision, the meeting will focus on the development of youth and children’s sports.

The working group meeting was attended by representatives of the Presidential Executive Office, the Government, the State Duma, regional authorities, the Russian Popular Front, and national sports federations.

In his opening remarks, Presidential Aide, Deputy Chairman of the Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sport Alexei Dyumin noted that youth and children’s sports has been a big focus area for the President.

“We have 30 million children. The future of Russia depends on the conditions we create for their all-round development, including in sports. The state and society must do everything to ensure access to children’s sports, improve the effectiveness of physical education and training for young citizens, promote a culture of a healthy and active lifestyle, and use sports for patriotic upbringing,” Alexei Dyumin said.

He also noted that the President has set the task of eliminating artificial restrictions and minimising commercialisation in sports.

Among the factors hindering the development of youth and children’s sports, the Presidential Aide cited a shortage of coaches and instructors, insufficient material and technical resources, and problems with interagency coordination. He also highlighted the work carried out by the Russian Popular Front at the President’s instruction to identify local problems and stressed that the Ministry of Sport and regional authorities must thoroughly analyse the Popular Front’s findings and take prompt action.

According to head of the working group, Governor of the Samara Region Vyacheslav Fedorishchev, the task set by the President to ensure children’s all-round development, including in physical culture and sports, is cross-sectoral and complex, encompassing all levels of public authority.

Minister of Sport, President of the Russian Olympic Committee Mikhail Degtyarev reported on the implementation of several specific measures aimed at improving access to sports for children. In particular, the Ministry has banned fees for children’s participation in national and interregional competitions. A minimum share of regional spending on sports has been set at no less than two percent of a region’s budget, with 59 regions already meeting this requirement. Twenty-four priority sports, accessible in terms of infrastructure and equipment, have been identified.

The final meeting of the working group is scheduled for September 2025.