Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed concern over youth moving away from sports and warned that the trend could have serious consequences if not addressed.
He spoke at the closing ceremony of the 74th Bholanath Mullick Memorial All India Police Football Championship 2026 held at Gachibowli Stadium. Revanth Reddy said the country must reflect on declining participation in sports.
Addressing police sportspersons, he said youth were gradually drifting away from playgrounds. He warned that failure to guide them in the right direction could lead to a dangerous future.
Further, he called for greater encouragement of sportspersons and assured full government support. He said Telangana remained committed to nurturing talent and upholding national pride.
Meanwhile, he highlighted Hyderabad’s football legacy and said the city was once known as the “Nursery of Indian Football.” He recalled that seven players from Hyderabad represented India in the 1956 Olympics.
He said hosting the championship in Hyderabad was a matter of pride. In addition, he congratulated the police department for organising the event successfully.
Revanth Reddy calls for a stronger sports culture among youth
Revanth Reddy pointed out that despite a population of 1.4 billion, India struggled to secure Olympic gold medals. Therefore, he called for serious introspection on sports development.
He also raised concerns over rising drug abuse among youth. At the same time, he said such challenges required focused intervention.
Further, he said the government established the Young India Sports University to promote excellence in sports. He added that experts would guide athletes and support talent development.
He stressed that police personnel must show the same commitment in tackling cybercrime and drug-related issues. Meanwhile, he urged continued dedication both on and off the field.
The championship took place from March 25 to April 5, with teams from across the country participating. Several ministers, senior police officials, and dignitaries attended the closing ceremony.
Revanth Reddy also stepped onto the ground and played with the participants. He later presented trophies to the winning teams.
Honourable Chief Minister Sri A. @revanth_anumula expressed concern that the youth of the country are gradually moving away from sports grounds, stressing that this trend requires serious reflection by everyone. He warned that if young people are not guided in the right… pic.twitter.com/sDaPeNwOeO
— IPRDepartment (@IPRTelangana) April 5, 2026