Makhachkala, December 16, 2014. Dagestani Olympic champion in boxing, Russian President’s authorised delegate Gaidarbek Gaidarbekov declared that Dagestan is the most sports-involved region of Russia, the executive committee of the Russian People’s Front’s Dagestan office informed.

"We need to enhance developing physical culture and sports in the regions, especially when it comes to children and adolescents, in line with the Presidential Decree "On improving public healthcare," – G. Gaidarbekov noted.

"Vladimir Putin’s decree aims at preserving and strengthening public health, reduce mortality rate, and increase life expectancy. It requires educational activities with children and adolescents on preventing bad habits, promoting physical activity, providing environment for sports, promoting healthy lifestyle and healthy eating. In Dagestan, this is really relevant,"- G. Gaidarbekov said.

Dagestani Olympic champion is convinced that Dagestan has always enjoyed a keen interest in youth sports and sporting achievements, but negative phenomena like drug addiction, alcoholism and smoking are still there, too.

"I think the reason is the lack of gyms and large sports and leisure centers for us to hold tournaments and other kinds of competitions. We have the Anji Arena and a few more arenas, but they are all private enterprises that are not always affordable. Now, the ministry of sports is building a sports arena at the Trud stadium, but that is not enough, because Dagestan is a region where you can hardly find a family with no athlete. About 70% of young people do some sports, and it is really good"- G. Gaidarbekov enlarged.