National sports in the life of regional youth (the case of the Republic of Buryatia)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the significance of national sports for the youth of Buryatia. According to the hypothesis of the study, this significance is broader than just physical development. Among other things, through national sports it is possible to implement state policy on the preservation and development of traditional values, as well as reduce the risk of deviations among young people. Today, egoistic motives for physical education and sports are gaining popularity among regional youth. At the same time, young people are not limited to fitness and several popular sports, national sports are also actively developing in the regions, including among young people. The purpose of this article is to determine how these sports influence young people, how they differ from widespread types of physical education and sports. The theoretical basis of this work is the works of Buryat and Yakut researchers, the empirical basis is the data of Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) and the Ministries of Sports of Russia and Buryatia, as well as the results of the author's independent research. The survey was conducted among professional athletes, amateur athletes, coaches, representatives of physical education and sports management bodies, as well as experienced sports fans involved in national sports. The age of the respondents ranged from 14 to 78 years. Thus, both modern youth were directly interviewed, and the opinions of those involved in working with them were taken into account. The survey was conducted at the anniversary cultural and sports festival of national sports "Nadaan Surkharbaan" - 2024, so the sample is represented by all municipal districts of the Republic of Buryatia and the regional center, with the exception of two districts that did not participate in the competition. The author comes to the conclusion that today, when due to politically motivated anti-Russian restrictions, high-performance sports are in a difficult situation, it is necessary to pay special attention to the development of mass sports, and its integral part - national sports. They can become one of the significant components of the harmonious social development of regions, taking into account the peculiarities of traditions and the unique culture of the peoples of the Russian Federation.