Vakiti Srihari launches Rs 12.53 crore sports infrastructure projects in Mahabubnagar
Hyderabad: Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari laid the foundation stone for Mahabubnagar sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 12.53 crore and urged youth to stay away from drugs and embrace sports.
The minister inaugurated the projects along with Government Whip and Mahabubnagar MLA Ennam Srinivas Reddy at the Indoor Stadium grounds on Monday.
The works include a 400-metre eight-lane synthetic athletics track costing Rs 10.70 crore.
Authorities will also establish four open gyms at a cost of Rs 1 crore.
The project includes an indoor gym worth Rs 51 lakh.
Officials will spend another Rs 32 lakh on pending works at the women’s athletics hostel.
Vakiti Srihari said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is giving top priority to sports development across Telangana.
He said the international-standard synthetic track would help athletes receive advanced training.
Mahabubnagar sports infrastructure to strengthen athlete training
Meanwhile, the minister said sports can transform lives and instil discipline among youth.
He urged young people to take sports seriously and aim for national and international success.
Vakiti Srihari said the government has already allocated nearly Rs 80 crore for sports infrastructure in the erstwhile Palamuru region.
He added that the government is prepared to spend up to Rs 100 crore if required.
Further, he directed officials to ensure proper management of the district swimming pool.
He also asked sports associations to identify talented athletes from villages.
Additionally, he said the government would fast-track approvals for sports projects through a green-channel mechanism.
Government Whip Ennam Srinivas Reddy said the project was among the first major initiatives approved after Vakiti Srihari assumed charge as Sports Minister.
He said plans are underway to establish volleyball and kabaddi academies in the district.
Authorities are also preparing plans for a cricket stadium.
The MLA expressed confidence that Mahabubnagar would emerge as a leading sports hub.
He said local athletes would receive the training needed to compete at the highest levels.
Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign highlighted during programme
Meanwhile, Telangana Sports Authority chairman Shivasena Reddy said the government significantly increased allocations for the sports sector.
He said the sports budget rose from Rs 360 crore in the first Congress budget to Rs 640 crore in the latest budget.
He added that the government is restoring stadiums, sports grounds and swimming pools across the state.
Shivasena Reddy said the government has initiated the recruitment of around 350 coaches.
Moreover, he said Telangana aims to become a national sports hub through modern infrastructure and expert coaching.
The chairman noted that 3.5 lakh students participated in the first edition of the CM Cup.
Participation increased to 5.5 lakh in the second edition.
He expressed confidence that more than 10 lakh students would participate in the third edition.
Selected athletes will receive training in specialised academies.
The Telangana Sports Authority will bear travel, accommodation and training expenses.
During the programme, participants took a pledge against drug abuse as part of the Nasha Mukt Bharat Saptah campaign.
Officials also unveiled a poster promoting awareness against narcotics.
District Collector Khushboo Gupta, SP D. Janaki, Mayor Gummalla Mamatha Srinivas and other public representatives attended the programme.