Telangana set to emerge as India's "Sports Hub," says Revanth Reddy

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy claimed that Telangana was on the path to becoming the leading sports hub in India, with the state government unveiling ambitious plans to bolster sports infrastructure and training.

During a high-level meeting at the Secretariat on Monday, the Chief Minister expressed his strong commitment to positioning Telangana at the forefront of national sports. He directed officials to take necessary steps to promote the state as a premier destination for sports and games.

This vision involved establishing a world-class Sports University in Telangana, provisionally named the Young India Sports University. The university would serve as a central hub, bringing all sports departments, training institutes, and government-run sports schools under its purview. The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of giving equal recognition to every sport, ensuring that all athletic disciplines received the support they needed to thrive.

To identify and nurture local talent, the Chief Minister instructed officials to focus on sports that are aligned with Telangana's population's geographical and physical characteristics. Talented individuals aspiring to pursue sports as a lifelong career would be identified early and provided with specialised training. He also revealed plans to promote Hyderabad, which had previously hosted events like the Afro-Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, as a potential venue for future Olympic Games.

The proposed Sports University would be developed to international standards, offering athletes top-tier facilities and comprehensive support, including nutrition. The Chief Minister prioritised sports like shooting, wrestling, boxing, archery, javelin throw, and hockey, where Indian athletes had historically excelled. The university would ensure that selected athletes received expert training to secure medals in national and international competitions.

The government also planned establishing sports schools in each Lok Sabha constituency across Telangana. These schools would identify and train students with exceptional sporting skills from a young age. While sports would be the focus, the schools would also provide regular academic education. Students selected for their athletic talent would receive specialised training and accommodation at the Sports University.

The Chief Minister directed officials to promote the Sports University of Hyderabad as the main hub of the country's sports sector. To support this goal, a comprehensive study will be conducted on the training methods and support systems used by countries that have recently excelled in the Olympics. This study would inform the strategies employed by Telangana to train its athletes.

In line with the government's branding initiative, the Chief Minister announced that the integrated schools being set up across the state would also be named "Young India," aligning with the vision for the Skill University and Sports University. He expressed his hope that Telangana would become synonymous with "Young India," producing a generation of highly skilled athletes who would bring glory to the nation.