Centre Assures Support for Andhra Sports Push
Ramprasad Reddy expressed gratitude to the Union Government for sanctioning Rs 75 crore towards sports development in Andhra Pradesh, stating that the funds would play a crucial role in comprehensively upgrading the state’s sports ecosystem.
Vijayawada: Sports minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy on Saturday met Union minister for youth affairs and sports Mansukh Mandaviya at Delhi and sought enhanced Central support for strengthening sports infrastructure and talent development in the state.
Ramprasad Reddy expressed gratitude to the Union Government for sanctioning Rs 75 crore towards sports development in Andhra Pradesh, stating that the funds would play a crucial role in comprehensively upgrading the state’s sports ecosystem.
Highlighting key demands, the minister urged the Centre to sanction National Centres of Excellence (NCoE) at Acharya Nagarjuna University in Guntur for athletics, archery and weightlifting, and another NCoE in Kakinada for hockey and shooting. He also sought approval for an additional District-Level Khelo India Centre (DLKIC) in every district, supplementing the 26 Khelo India centres already functioning in the state.
Drawing attention to the lack of an international-standard football stadium in Andhra Pradesh, Ramprasad Reddy requested Central assistance to develop a modern football ground with floodlights and spectator galleries at Rayachoti, noting that 24.90 acres of land were readily available to host national-level tournaments and nurture young talent.
The minister further proposed sanctioning 56 sports infrastructure projects under the Khelo India scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 675.36 crore and sought approval for a Rs 42.62-crore sports complex at Nakkavandlapalli–Diguva Abbavaram in Annamayya district, citing the acute infrastructure gap post-state bifurcation.
Emphasising Andhra Pradesh’s large youth population, the minister said coordinated efforts between the Centre and the state could translate sporting potential into national-level success.
Mandaviya assured that the proposals would be examined positively and that the Centre would extend all necessary support. Union minister of state for youth Affairs and sports, Raksha Nikhil Khadse and MP Harish Balayogi were present at the meeting.