Hyderabad: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar inaugurated the Police Judo Cluster on Thursday at the GMC Balayogi Indoor Stadium in Gachibowli. The championship is being hosted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Addressing the gathering, Bandi Sanjay said the Centre was promoting sports as a tool for nation-building through initiatives such as Khelo India. He also said the government had increased the sports budget to ₹4,480 crore. Further, he reiterated India’s goal of becoming one of the world’s top five sporting nations by 2047.
The Union Minister said police sporting events strengthened national integration, discipline and camaraderie. He added that such competitions encouraged greater participation by women personnel.
Meanwhile, Bandi Sanjay praised the CISF for expanding welfare measures for athletes. According to him, the force had introduced financial assistance, nutrition support and modern training facilities.
Police Judo Cluster draws 1,600 athletes
The CISF is hosting the Police Judo Cluster from July 23 to 30. During the championship, more than 1,600 athletes from 36 State Police and Central Armed Police Force organisations are competing.
Additionally, participants are taking part in Judo, Wushu, Taekwondo, Karate and Pencak Silat competitions throughout the event.
Besides Bandi Sanjay, CISF ADG (South) Padmakar S. Ransiphe, NISA Director and IG Harpreet Kaur Sohi, ADG S.R. Saravanan, PIB ADG Shruti Patil and other senior officials attended the inauguration.