Celebrating sports

To mark World Olympic Day, Deputy Mayor Gogula Venkata Ramana Rao flagged off the Swarnandhra Olympic Run, organised by the Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association (APOA), at Benz Circle in the city on Tuesday.

About 2,500 students and sportspersons took part in the Olympic Run with great enthusiasm, which culminated into a meeting at Dandamudi Rajagopal Rao Municipal Corporation Indoor Stadium. Explaining the significance of the day, Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) chairman PR Mohan said, “Olympics helped promote international peace by uniting nations.”

He exhorted students to take active part in sports to develop team spirit and leadership qualities. The SAAP chief also mentioned Cherukuri Dolly Shivani, who became a role model for others by setting new archery records at a tender age.

APOA president RK Purushotham underlined the need for promoting sports in a big way to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation. He highlighted the initiatives taken by the State Government to put Andhra Pradesh at top in sports. “Participation in sports helps students develop sportsmanship.

For a real sportsman, win or defeat doesn’t matter. Students should lay equal emphasis on studies and sports for their personality development,” he said. Later, Mohan along with SAAP secretary B Hanumantha Rao awarded certificates to the students who took part in the Olympic Run.

APOA vice-president AV Ramana Rao, treasurer K Padmanabham, Krishna District Olympic Association (KDOA) president K Pattabhi, secretary Panduranga Rao, VMC Education Committee chairman K Mallikharjuna Yadav and others were present.