Telangana to unveil new sports policy, construct international cricket stadium

HYDERABAD: Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy announced in the Legislative Assembly on Friday that the state government would introduce a new comprehensive sports policy in the upcoming Assembly session. The Chief Minister highlighted the government's commitment to promoting sports and nurturing sporting talent.

Revanth Reddy stated that the government had allocated Rs 321 crore in the 2024-25 budget for sports development. He emphasised that excelling in sports not only brought recognition but also opened doors to promising job opportunities.

To illustrate the government's dedication, he cited the example of world boxing champion Nikhat Zareen and international cricketer Mohammad Siraj, both of whom had been offered Group-1 posts in the state government. He acknowledged that while Siraj's educational qualifications (Intermediate) did not meet the requirements for a Group-1 post (graduation), the government had made an exception to recognise his sporting achievements.

The Chief Minister revealed that the new sports policy would draw inspiration from successful models implemented in other states, particularly Haryana. He expressed the government's willingness to construct stadiums at Mandal headquarters, subject to land availability.

Furthermore, preliminary discussions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the construction of an international cricket stadium at Bagari Kanche, Hyderabad, had been positive. The Chief Minister assured that the government would allocate land for the stadium promptly.

In addition to financial support, the government planned to implement a special action plan to foster a vibrant sports culture in the state. All stakeholders would be welcome to offer suggestions for developing the sports policy.

Revanth Reddy expressed concerns over existing stadiums in Hyderabad, which are underutilised for sporting events and often used for political gatherings and private functions. He stressed the need to upgrade these facilities and create an environment that encourages students to consider sports as a viable career path.

The Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to promoting sports and appealed for support from all sections of society.