The Andhra Pradesh Government’s huge budgetary allocation of Rs 220 crore during 2012-13 to sports up from Rs 20 crore last fiscal will provide a major boost, according to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy.

Speaking at the re-launch of Sportstar magazine at a function hosted by the Hindu Group, the Chief Minister said the State has decided to encourage sports in a big way making it mandatory in all schools. Every day, one class will be must for sports and students will be encouraged.

The State has provided for 2 per cent reservation in jobs for sportsmen and for sportsmen in educational institutions. “We believe that such a move will encourage people to take to sports which has the capability to make people well-rounded personalities,” Mr Reddy said.

Stadium

The Chief Minister said the Government is keen to establish one stadium in each of the 294 constituencies of the State with an outlay of Rs. 1.5 crore for each stadium. Later, this will be taken up to the mandal level. The idea is to ensure that the love for sports percolates even to the rural areas.

He said that his recent visit to Rampachodavaram in East Godavari was a learning experience where there were people with excellent archery skills. Mr Reddy said a meeting of sportspersons would be convened after the Olympics. Taking in their suggestions, a comprehensive sports policy would be charted out.

Narrating his own experiences as a sportsperson, he said that he continues to be an avid reader of Sportstar .

The event was graced by some of the well-known sportspersons including V.V.S. Laxman (cricketer), Mukesh Kumar (hockey), Victor Amalraj (football) among others. They shared their love for sports and Sportstar.

rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

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