CSK cricket academies in AP, a key takeaway of Ambati Rayudu joining hands with YS Jagan

AMARAVATI: Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings coming forward to set up at least four cricket academies in Andhra Pradesh is being seen as a key takeaway of former India International and CSK cricketer Ambati Rayudu joining forces with Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Rayudu, who has recently retired from all forms of cricket and since evinced interest in beginning a new innings in politics, met YS Jagan at the latter’s camp office a few times in the last one month.

Even as the meetings intensified speculation on the celebrated cricketer’s impending entry into the YSRCP, Rayudu himself later clarified that, to begin with, he was more keen on doing public service and contributing his bit for the development of sports and its infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. In a major boost towards this end, Rayudu was also successful in roping in his IPL franchise for this mammoth task, which was evident from the presence of its management team led by Rupa Gurunath during the recent meeting of the former cricketer with YS Jagan.

In a vindication of the fast-paced developments towards this end, the revelation on the new cricket academies came right from the horse’s mouth on Thursday. The Chief Minister himself announced, during a review meeting on the proposed ‘Aadudam Andhra’ sports festival, that IPL franchise CSK had come forward for the development of cricket in Andhra Pradesh by setting up academies in the State. He directed the officials to initiate measures for the establishment of state-of-the-art cricket academies in Kadapa, Tirupati, Mangalagiri and Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Chennai IPL franchise.

New ultra-modern cricket stadium in Visakhapatnam

YS Jagan also expressed the aspiration for the construction of a new ultra-modern cricket stadium in Visakhapatnam in addition to the existing YSR stadium. He asked the officials to devise plans in a way that the YSR stadium could be transformed into a centre of excellence for sports once the new stadium was established in the port city. He urged the officials to shape up the plan and take it forward with full commitment.

The Chief Minister also wanted the authorities to lay emphasis on the all-encompassing development of other sports as well.

YS Jagan directed the officials to host the ‘Aadudam Andhra’ sports festival on a prestigious note and ensure the participation of all popular sportspersons of the State in it. The Chief Minister felt that the prestigious sports event should come in handy in tapping the talent of sportspersons from rural areas. While suggesting that proper food and other arrangements be made for the participants, he asked the officials to form special teams for efficiently conducting the sports festival.

Chief Secretary S Jawahar Reddy, Chief Secretary of Sports and Youth Services Dr G Vanimohan, Finance Secretary N Gulzar, Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman Byreddy Siddharth Reddy, SAAP Vice-Chairman cum Managing Director K Harshavardhan and other officials were present at the review meeting.