By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow : Russia has set aside an extra $19 million for upgrades to the country’s sports infrastructure over the next three years.
Russia is overhauling its dilapidated Soviet-era training and competition facilities in a federal sports spending programme that now amounts to $4.8 billion, with the extra injection of funds announced Tuesday.
The goal of the programme, unveiled in 2006, is to increase regular sports participation among the general population from one in eight people, recorded in 2004, to one in three by 2015.
Russia’s leaders have attempted to address the nation’s drastic population decline by plowing funds into sports and advocating a healthier lifestyle.
President Dmitry Medvedev recently released a video extolling the virtues of badminton, while Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, a judo black belt, has encouraged participation in martial arts.
They are also counting on the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the football World Cup in 2018 to do their part in stimulating a more active lifestyle.