More than 13.5% of residents of the Vitebsk region regularly engage in physical culture in sections and clubs

May 20, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA/. More than 171 thousand people, or 13.5% of the region's residents, regularly engage in physical culture and sports in clubs and sections at their place of residence, work, or study. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Vitebsk Regional Educational and Methodological Center for Physical Education of the Population. In total, 22 sports clubs and 5 health and fitness centers have been established in the region, carrying out mass sports and health-improving work with the population at their place of residence. More than 3,000 specialists are involved in organizational, methodological, and sports work locally. In 2010, over 60 regional competitions were held in the Vitebsk region, with a total of about 9.3 thousand participants, which is almost 10% more than in 2009. In addition, over 2,000 events were organized in cities and districts, with more than 142,000 participants. In 2010, the region's teams won 16 first places, 9 second places, and 19 third places at republican competitions. Furthermore, athletes with disabilities constantly participate in republican and international competitions; 34 athletes from the region are part of the national team. The region hosted 13 competitions for people with hearing, visual, and musculoskeletal impairments, with over 460 participants. Seven regional events were held for rural residents, with a total participation of almost 2.4 thousand people. The participation of young Vitebsk residents in sports events and competitions is increasing. For instance, almost 100 teams, comprising over 1.4 thousand young athletes, participated in the republican ice hockey competition "Golden Puck" for children and teenagers for the prizes of the President of Belarus (a year earlier, there were 79 teams). In the qualifying football competition "Leather Ball," over 420 teams and about 5.4 thousand footballers participated in three age groups. A wide promotion of a healthy lifestyle is conducted at all sports facilities. Health corners and sanitary bulletins on smoking and alcoholism prevention are displayed everywhere. Sports facilities where competitions are held are smoke-free zones. -0-