Huge response to state-level Olympic Day Torch Run

State-level Olympic Torch Run was organised by the Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association (APOA), Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) and Andhra Pradesh Youth Services and Sports here on Wednesday. Minister for Youth Services and Sports Koullu Ravindra and Minister for Water Resources Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao flagged-off the torch run at DV Manor hotel, Mahatma Gandhi Road (MG Road) in the city.

Ministers lit the Olympic torch and handed it over to Olympian MV Manikyala Rao. International, National and state-level players, medalists and Olympian A Ramana Rao and archers, skaters while --ll other sports persons enthusiastically participated in the run. The Olympic torch run reached to Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) stadium.

Player from other districts came to Vijayawada have participated in state-level Olympic torch run along with ministers, SAAP officials and APOA representatives. All the players and participants wore white dress and followed torch run. Kid Archer Cherukuri Dolly Sivani, International skater Devi Sri Prasad and Judo players performed their talent and won the applause from other participants.

Speaking on the occasion Minister Kollu Ravindra said that the state government is ready to organise National Games in 2018 and preparing the sports stadiums with international standards. With the support of sports associations with in short period the state government would readying the stadiums and play fields for the prestigious national games event, he said. As part of New Sports Policy, the state government would establish Specialised Academies for various sports and games disciplines to improving skills, he said.

“Every one will take inspiration Olympic Silver Medalist PV Sindhu and Badminton Australia Super Series title winner, Kidambi Srikanth, interestingly both are Telugu people,” he advised. Unfortunately, sports were neglected by previous governments, TDP coming into power sports budget has been increased for creating sports infrastructures in all districts, the minister added.

He further stated that the State government is planning for the development of Assembly Constituency levels stadiums and create more amenities to the sports. State government had a proposal to construct international stadium at Amaravati, he explained.

Minister for Water Resources Devineni Uma Maheswar Rao said that sports and games are not limited to towns or cities and should be extended too villages as part of New Sports Policy. For this the state government had tie up with Gopichand Academy and create sports infrastructure at all villages, he pointed out. He praised the Andhra Pradesh Archery Association (APAA) Cherukuri Satyanarayana for promising Olympic medal in 2024.

Youth Services and Sports Special Chief Secretary LV Subramanyam said that the state government is giving top priority to sports and games and creating facilities for players. City Mayor Koneru Sridhar urged the state government to release funds for the development of sports stadiums like IGMC, Makineni Basavapunnaih stadium and Chennupati Ramakotaiah Indoor stadiums.

Vijayawada is symbol for sports promotion, due to neglect by previous governments sufficient sports infrastructure is not available for sports persons, he felt. Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Uma Maheswara Rao, APOA secretary RK Purushotham, vice-president K Pattabhi, Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary (tournaments) Kch Punnaiah Chowdary, SAAP Officer on Special Duty (OSD) P Rama Krishna and others participated.