Appoint sportspersons to head SAAP, APOA requests CM Jagan Mohan Reddy

Vijayawada: AP Olympic Association (APOA) has requested Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to nominate only prominent sportspersons as chairperson and directors of Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP).

Recalling the appointment of Olympic medallist Karanam Malleswari as vice chancellor of Sports University of Delhi, APOA secretary K. P. Rao pointed out that the state government has employed nearly 2,000 sportspersons under sports job quota last year, which is a record not only in AP but throughout India.

He pointed out that the AP government had also paid Rs 5 crore to Indian Olympic Association for allotting National Games to Andhra Pradesh. He observed that once these games are allotted to AP, Government of India will provide financial assistance of more than Rs. 1,000 crore for constructing international-standard stadia and accommodation for players, just as it had done during Hyderabad National Games in 2002, when an entire sports village had been created.

APOA secretary explained that presently Andhra Pradesh does not have sports infrastructure of international standards. Hence, the Olympic association is requesting CM Jagan to nominate persons with knowledge in sports as chairman and directors of SAAP. They will be able to establish best sports infrastructure and get name and fame for the state.

K.P. Rao appreciated that Delhi Chief Minister Aravind Kejriwal had nominated a Telugu Olympic medallist as vice chancellor of the capital’s sports university. Likewise, appointment of sportspersons in AP too to SAAP will ensure smooth conduct of National Games and further development of sports.