Alaska Russian Old Believers schools cancel sports programs

KENAI, Alaska (AP) – Three Russian Old Believers schools in Alaska have cancelled their sports programs for the upcoming year due to a lack of resources.

The Peninsula Clarion reported Monday that the Kachemak-Selo School, Voznesenka School and Razdolna School on the Kenai Peninsula will not field sports teams.

Officials say the school administrations are not able to maintain programs for soccer, wrestling, cross-country running, and football.

Old Believers is a branch of the Russian Orthodox Church that exercises specific traditional customs.

The sports were organized under the umbrella of the Voznesenka School to be sanctioned by the Alaska School Activities Association, but students from all three schools participated.

Officials say the programs could not be maintained for reasons including a lack of participants and difficulties in finding coaches.

Information from: (Kenai, Alaska) Peninsula Clarion, http://www.peninsulaclarion.com