Vigilance Report On ‘Aadudam Andhra’ Set To Expose Major Irregularities
Launched with the stated aim of promoting grassroots sports, the initiative now faces allegations of corruption, poor-quality supplies, and misuse of public funds.
TIRUPATI: A state-level vigilance report into the ‘Aadudam Andhra’ sports event is expected to be submitted to the state government by the first week of August, potentially unearthing financial irregularities and procurement violations under the previous YSR Congress administration.
Launched with the stated aim of promoting grassroots sports, the initiative now faces allegations of corruption, poor-quality supplies, and misuse of public funds.
The programme was conducted between December 15, 2023, and February 3, 2024. It was designed to engage youth from ward to state level through a series of sporting competitions. While the initiative garnered significant attention and funding, controversy soon followed as complaints began to emerge from players, association members, and whistleblowers.
At the centre of the row are allegations of substandard procurement and irregular distribution of sports kits. Several players reportedly told Vigilance officials that cricket bats, shuttle rackets, balls, and t-shirts provided under the scheme were of such poor quality that they became unusable after just one game. In many areas, participants alleged that the promised equipment failed to meet even basic standards, leading to dissatisfaction and accusations of negligence.
The controversy deepened after a former national Kabaddi player and several sports association members lodged a formal complaint with the CID. They claimed that the event, conducted under the previous YSRC regime, was marred by financial irregularities. The complaint specifically named former Sports Minister R.K. Roja and ex-SAAP chairman Byreddy Siddharth Reddy, alleging their involvement in the misappropriation of funds.
In response, sports and youth affairs minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy ordered an independent departmental probe alongside the ongoing Vigilance inquiry. He revealed that ₹119.19 crore had been sanctioned for the event. This included ₹38.55 crore for sports kit procurement via the R&B department, ₹2 crore for website development, ₹34.20 crore for t-shirts and caps, ₹3.43 crore for brochures, and ₹40.93 crore allocated to district collectors for event-related expenses. The state had released ₹83 lakh for Tirupati district and ₹81 lakh for Chittoor district.
SAAP chairman A. Ravi Naidu confirmed that the Vigilance inquiry, completed at the district level, is now underway at the state level. He indicated that the final report, expected by August 10, could reveal the misappropriation of ₹60–65 crore. “The report will cover irregularities across multiple areas including procurement, incentives, food, and publicity, and may identify those involved. The findings are expected to determine the next course of action,” he said.
Investigators are also examining what happened to the leftover sports kits. These kits were to be distributed to government schools after the event, but many reportedly did not receive them. Local complaints have also surfaced regarding alleged political interference during the selection of winners, with claims that individuals affiliated with the YSRC were favoured in the final rounds.
