Tula hosts a thousand schoolchildren from 24 regions of Russia

Tula for a week turned into the main athletics arena of the country. On October 12, the All-Russian competitions “School Athletics League” solemnly opened in the multifunctional sports complex “Tulitsa” – and the ceremony turned out to be truly representative.

The competition will last from October 12 to 17. The scale is impressive: the strongest school teams from 24 regions of Russia gathered at the Tula stadium - a total of more than a thousand participants. The host side also exhibited its part of the delegations: the athletes are represented by 21 municipal formations of the Tula region, and the entire region is defended by 77 teams at the home tournament. The formula for each is eight people: four boys and four girls.

The program of the competition is concise and clear to any student: running 60 meters, running 1000 meters, jumping in length and throwing the ball. By age, participants are divided into three groups - 9-10 years, 11-12 years and 13-14 years.

The selection for the teams is arranged surprisingly simple and honest: received a five in physical education - welcome to the team. No closed sports schools and castings: the league is conceived as a massive project, where every successful student has a chance.

The meaning of the project was told by the Olympic champion, first vice-president of the All-Russian Athletics Federation Irina Privalova:

“The league will help children achieve sports results without leaving school.” First, they will learn to compete competently - it tempers the spirit. The second is, of course, a team that unites, which helps us not to be afraid to take responsibility not only for ourselves, but also for others. And the third is the opportunity to always be in the sight of serious sports organizations. You show good results, you get a chance to get further.”.

The fate of a participant from Tula 71st school Maria Litvinenko is a living confirmation of these words. The girl made her way to the All-Russian tournament by an ordinary school five in physical education and is now preparing for two disciplines at once.

I take part in two disciplines: 1 kilometer and 60 meters. For me, it's development. I'm getting a new experience. I was preparing for competitions and at school. Competitors are decent. It's gonna be an interesting fight. I will be glad to talk with one of the rivals, Maria Litvinenko shared.

Participants, coaches and guests of the tournament on Tula land were welcomed by the Governor Dmitry Milyaev. In his address, the head of the region emphasized not only sports achievements:

“Sport is not only fortitude, strength and health, but also for friendship! I wish you to make good friends and maintain relationships with them. Sport always unites people and allows you to test yourself for strength. I am sure you will show a true sporting character. We will always be glad to see you both as athletes and as guests of our city, said Dmitry Milyaev.

The Governor wished the young athletes excellent results and thanked the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, the All-Russian Athletics Federation and the Student League for their joint work.

The opening ceremony was decorated with distinguished guests: Advisor to the First Deputy Minister of Education of Russia Alexander Minaev, Olympic champion in athletics, First Vice-President and member of the Presidium of the All-Russian Athletics Federation Irina Privalova, as well as President of the Association “Student Athletics League” Alexander Stradze.

Irina Privalova, the head of the region addressed some words of gratitude:

Irina Anatolyevna is a legendary man. Your participation is a separate decoration of our event. When we see sports stars, we are inspired, and this is an undoubted motivating factor to play sports, said Dmitry Milyaev.

For Tula fans, the appearance of the Olympic champion at the home stadium is a special moment: children could not just read about sports stars, but see them within walking distance from the school bench.

The School Athletics League is only part of a large sports marathon. The United School League project is being implemented on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, given following the results of the Council for the Development of Physical Culture and Sports, held in November 2025. In the Tula region, the school league covers six sports: athletics, basketball, volleyball, chess, floral and mini-football. In the second half of the academic year, fijital sports, a hybrid discipline combining physical training and eSports skills, will be added to this list.

The goal of the project is to make mass school sports truly accessible for each student and to see the talented children in time, for whom the road to the top will open already at the school stadium. For Tula families, this is good news: the path to big sport no longer begins in the paid section - it can start right from the top five in the diary and starts at Tulitsa.

on october 17, the tula arena will name the best school track and field athletes in the country.