Russia moves to formally recognize its national and non-Olympic sports committee
A new draft law aims to grant formal recognition to the Russian Committee for National and Non-Olympic Sports. The proposal seeks to amend federal legislation, ensuring the committee's institutional status in governing physical culture. Five eastern regions—Magadan Oblast, Sakhalin Oblast, Kamchatka Krai, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, and the Republic of Buryatia—are leading the push for change.
The initiative was introduced by Alexey Yeryomeyev, Speaker of Il Tumen, during a meeting of the Parliamentary Association Far East and Transbaikalia. It calls for an update to Article 5 of the Federal Law On Physical Culture and Sports in the Russian Federation. If passed, the amendment would include the committee in the official register of governing sports bodies.
The committee, established in 1999, already operates under an agreement with the Russian Olympic Committee. It unites nearly 100 all-Russian public organisations focused on non-Olympic disciplines. Around 60 regions participate in its work, promoting traditional sports across the country. Russia recognises roughly 170 national sports, with eight officially listed in the All-Russian Sports Registry. Two of these—*Mas-Wrestling* and *Stick-Pulling*—originated from indigenous communities in Sakhalin and Kamchatka. Over 20 million people regularly take part in national and non-Olympic sports. Nikolai Yezhov, a Federation Council senator from Magadan Oblast, will represent the region's stance when the draft law reaches the State Duma. The Magadan Regional Duma has already backed the proposal, signalling broad regional support.
The proposed amendment would solidify the committee's role in overseeing traditional and non-Olympic sports. With nearly 100 affiliated organisations and participation from 60 regions, the change could further integrate these disciplines into Russia's official sports framework. The next step depends on the State Duma's review of the draft law.
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