The head of the Luhansk region, Oleksiy Kharchenko, took part in a meeting to discuss the draft law "On Sports".

The draft law envisages the implementation of a European model of sport, based on the broad involvement of citizens in systematic physical activity from childhood to adulthood. This approach should create a basis for the development of high-performance sports through mass participation, the formation of a sustainable club culture of sports, and the development of sports communities.

According to it, a gradual transition to a new model of industry management is proposed without destroying effective institutions that are already functioning. It envisages expanding the autonomy of sports federations, introducing the principles of self-regulation, forming an effective club system, digitalizing the sports sphere, strengthening the role of sports science, and updating the system of training specialists.

"Currently, only 15% of Ukrainians are engaged in physical activity, while in Europe this figure is 40%. The current infrastructure is formed according to the standards of the totalitarian Soviet regime and we see how the sports system is degrading. It does not stimulate specialists to develop mass sports, " said the Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matviy Bidny.

He reported that last year, UAH 6.2 billion was allocated to the maintenance of the Youth Sports School, despite the fact that only 342 thousand children, or 8% of the total number, study in the institutions. That is, the majority of the child population is currently outside the sports education system.

"The new bill is built on a framework principle that will allow us to respond more quickly to the needs of the industry and implement the necessary regulatory mechanisms at the level of by-laws. But the Youth and Sports School will not be liquidated!" emphasized Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Viktor Mykyta, who chaired the meeting.

The draft law sparked a lively professional discussion - over 100 proposals were submitted, including from the Luhansk region.

"The future is behind sports clubs, but municipal sports facilities need to be given the opportunity to transform," Oleksiy Kharchenko commented on the results of the discussion.