Comparative analysis of the regulatory framework for the regulation of physical culture and sports in two neighboring regions of the Russian Federation

Abstract

This scientific article presents a detailed comparative analysis of the regulatory framework governing physical culture and sports in the Tula and Kaluga regions of the Russian Federation. The introduction substantiates the relevance of the study, emphasizing the importance of regional specifics in the implementation of unified federal principles to increase the effectiveness of sports policy and public engagement. The emphasis is on the similarity of demographic and economic characteristics of the regions in the presence of differences in legal approaches. The section of materials and research methods describes approaches to the analysis of regional legislation, including financing mechanisms (budget allocations, public-private partnership in the Tula region, municipal financing and federal subsidies in Kaluga region), organization of sports events, personnel policy and interaction with municipalities. The main focus is on identifying discrepancies in the practical implementation of legal norms. The results and discussion reveal the key differences in regulation: the Tula Region focuses on supporting traditional sports, industrial partnerships, and balanced financing of professional and amateur sports. Kaluga Region stands out for its project management, the development of digital platforms (electronic document management, online registration in the section), the priority of children's and youth schools, and innovative areas (cycling, orienteering). The aspects of medical support, anti-doping policy, inclusive programs, staff training and work with volunteers are compared in detail. The influence of the historical and cultural context is noted: Tula's military-industrial heritage and Kaluga's scientific and space image. The conclusions emphasize that both entities, relying on federal standards, form unique models of legal regulation adapted to local resources and priorities. Tula region demonstrates stability in the development of classical trends, Kaluga Region demonstrates flexibility in the implementation of technological solutions. The general trends are the stimulation of extra-budgetary financing, the development of volunteerism and adaptation to international standards (anti-doping, cybersecurity). It is concluded that there is a need for further harmonization of regional practices to improve the efficiency of industry management.