VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu Allocates ₹23 Crore for Sports Development Centers
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has sanctioned ₹23 crore for the completion of pending works at 35 Sports Development Centers in Andhra Pradesh, highlighting the importance of sports infrastructure in the state.
During a review meeting with officials from the Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department, Naidu emphasized the role of sports and physical activity in promoting public health. He noted that his government had previously undertaken various infrastructure projects to bolster sports, but the YSRC government formed in 2019 had neglected these efforts, leading to a halt in several projects.
The Chief Minister urged officials to encourage all sections of the population to engage in sports and physical exercise, stating that sports should not be viewed solely as competitive activities. He expressed concern over the decline of traditional games like kabaddi and volleyball in villages due to the rise of television and electronic entertainment.
Naidu suggested that establishing playgrounds in villages could reignite interest in sports. He encouraged local community involvement in these projects and proposed that Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and industrialists be invited to fund the construction of these facilities, which could be named in their honor.
He directed officials to set a goal of preparing for the 2027 National Games in Andhra Pradesh by developing the necessary infrastructure. Naidu criticized the YSRC government for failing to create a new sports policy after the previous one expired in 2022 and stressed the need for a new initiative.
Recognizing that Andhra Pradesh has lagged in winning medals, he called for a special plan to elevate the state's sports profile. He proposed transforming Amaravati, Tirupati, and Visakhapatnam into sports hubs and urged the establishment of sports centers in all district collectorates and government offices.
Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy and other officials attended the meeting.