Sports Hub Resolves To Hold Commonwealth And Olympics In TG

Hyderabad: The Sports Hub of Telangana on Thursday passed a resolution to host all sports competitions like Khelo India, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics in the state. The board also resolved to form sub-committees for effective maintenance of stadiums, improving sporting facilities, training players and coaches as well as to prepare action plans for implementing the various aspects of Telangana Sports Policy 2025.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who attended the first meeting in the Board of Governors here, said his vision was to establish Hyderabad as a preferred destination for sports through its policy and overall ecosystem. The CM expressed his desire to foster a strong sporting culture, emulating the widespread IT culture, with all families wanting their children to pursue careers in sports and games.

He explained that the state’s budget for sports had been increased by 16 times. Besides extending incentives to sportspersons who performed well at the national and international levels, government jobs had been provided. “We have established the Young India Sports University to help improve the state’s sporting performances,” Revanth Reddy said.

Despite having significant sports facilities and stadiums, there was a lack of proportionate number of coaches. Adding to this, coaches had to be trained to match international standards, he acknowledged. Revanth Reddy urged the Board to formulate an action plan to this effect for three years.

The Chief Minister explained that the board, comprising corporates, sportspersons, and sports administrators, had been constituted to ensure the smooth provision of resources, expertise and management for development of the sports ecosystem.

Vita Dani of Dani Foundation stressed the importance of sports and physical literacy at the school level. Badminton coach Pullela Gopichand suggested conduct of phase-wise sports competitions from right from the village level.

Upasana Konidela, co-chairperson of the Sports Hub, said that physiotherapy courses be included in the Sports University curriculum, while pointing that the taxes on sports equipment was very high.

Dr Sanjiv Goenka, chairman of the Sports Hub, recommended that the top global executives from the region be involved in the process of developing an effective sports ecosystem. Chinta Sashidhar of the Vishwa Samudra Foundation highlighted the need for providing sports equipment for high-performing sportspersons, to draw better results.

Biyyala Papa Rao, sports administrator, desired that coaches in the Sports University be of the standard of IIT professors.

The CM revealed the government's plans about holding sports competitions at village, mandal and Assembly constituency-levels, doing away with the existing framework. He explained that winners from these levels shall be tested at the Parliamentary constituency level, and ultimately at the state level.

The Chief Minister said the issue of reducing taxes on sports equipment shall be taken to the Centre’s notice. He responded positively about the inclusion of physiotherapy and other sports related courses in the Sports University.

Sports minister Vakiti Srihari, special chief secretary Jayesh Ranjan, Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) chairman K. Shiva Sena Reddy, vice chairman & MD Sonibala Devi and other officials participated in the meeting.