Telangana will be sports-friendly athletic-centric: Sports Minister

Telangana Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari said improving the state's sports infrastructure is a priority for the government, adding that it will roll out a new sports policy to support a 'sports-friendly' state.

Hyderabad: Telangana Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari said the government was focusing on improving sports infrastructure in the state to improve the standards across all disciplines.

Speaking at the Olympic Day Run celebrations, organised by the Telangana Olympic Association under the stewardship of the general secretary P. Malla Reddy and others, the Minister said the target would be to make the state a sports-friendly and athlete-centric state and be a role model for the entire country.

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“The government is committed to promote sports in a big way, especially the needy champions by extending all support,” he said.

The minister also said the government would roll out a new sports policy, which should usher in a new era for sports in the state.

The TOA successfully organized the 39th Olympic Day Run with the active involvement of all affiliated units across 32 of Telangana’s districts.

In the Hyderabad district, the tun commenced from 15 different locations witnessing the participation of about 300 athletes and officials from each centre.

All the contingents converged at the LB Stadium tennis complex for the valedictory function.

SATG vice-chairman and managing director Mrs Sonibala Devi, Mr A.P. Jitender Reddy, Advisor to State Government (Sports), SATG chairman Shiva Sena Reddy, Mr M. Ramesh, IPS and Vice-chairman of Olympic Day Run, Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary to state government, were among those who graced the event.

Mr K. Appa Rao, chairman of media and publicity committee of TOA, briefed about the whole event.

Appa Rao said 15 Olympians from different disciplines, in addition to national and international athletes, attended the run, which culminated with the attendance of about 3500 athletes at the LB Stadium.

Neetha Dadwe, Anup Kumar Yama, Paralympian Deepthi Jeevanji, international cricketer Trisha Gongidi, and international athlete Nandini Agasara were among those who participated in the run.

The whole motto of the Olympic Run was to reflect the Olympic spirit of ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’ and promote sporting excellence.