Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy made a sports spirit decline remark and said Telangana had seen a drop in sporting culture after state formation.
He spoke at the inauguration of the Telangana Legislators Sports Meet-2026 at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium on Saturday. He launched the first edition of the event and addressed participants.
He said members of his Cabinet included talented sportspersons. He added that the event offered them a chance to showcase their abilities. Moreover, he noted that sports provided relief for those in public life.
He expressed hope that participants would display strong sportsmanship. However, he observed that Telangana was once known as a sports hub. Later, he said, regular competitions declined over time.
Sports spirit decline remark highlights need to revive competitions
Revanth Reddy said the sports spirit decline remark reflected the need to revive sporting culture. He pointed out that for a long period, the state did not host regular competitions.
Therefore, he stressed the importance of organising events like the legislators’ sports meet. Such initiatives, he said, would help rebuild enthusiasm for sports.
He also said the government aimed to promote sports across Telangana. According to him, consistent efforts were required to restore the state’s earlier reputation.
Sports spirit decline remark includes Messi controversy reference
The Chief Minister also referred to football star Lionel Messi during his speech. He said inviting Messi to Hyderabad had triggered controversy.
He said the government wanted to position Hyderabad as a global sports hub. However, he expressed disappointment that some viewed the move politically.
Revanth Reddy said Hyderabad should not be known only for biryani and IT. Instead, he said, the city should also gain recognition as a sports destination.
He added that Messi’s visit to cities like Kolkata had faced disruptions. In contrast, he said Hyderabad hosted the event smoothly and in a disciplined manner.
He described the successful event as proof of Telangana’s hospitality and organisational capability. He reiterated that efforts would continue to promote sports in the state.