DISTRICT SPORTS COMMITTEES IN THE PHYSICAL CULTURE AND SPORTS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FROM 1946 TO 1953 (USING THE EXAMPLE OF THE KARELO-FINNISH SSR)

Abstract

This article examines the activities of district committees for physical culture and sports from 1946 to 1953, which were the most problematic element in the system of managing the mass physical culture movement. The aim of the work is to present and discuss the results of the district sports committees’ activities in organizing physical culture and mass activities among the population, creating primary physical culture groups, holding sports competitions, and implementing state plans for training GTO badge holders and athletes with various ratings. Particular attention is paid to identifying systemic problems that hindered the effective implementation of state policy: lack of funding, an acute shortage and high turnover of qualified personnel, their involvement in additional work, a lack of material and technical resources, and pervasive formalism of reporting. The author concludes that, despite the creation of a formal management vertical, district sports committees lacked real administrative powers and resources, which doomed their activities to systemic ineffectiveness. Numerous inspections have documented the virtual absence of physical culture and sports work at the local level, especially in rural areas. The grassroots level of physical education and sports management in the post-war period failed to become an effective instrument for implementing state objectives in the field of physical education.