Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, as suggested by the five-member committee formed by Indian Olympic Association (IOA), has allotted Rs. 40 lakh to the Andhra Pradesh contingent selected to take part in the 35{+t}{+h}National Games to be held at various venues in Kerala from January 31 to February 15.
Speaking to The Hindu here on Thursday, a member of the committee, K. Ch. Punnaiah Choudary, said around 180 athletes representing the new State will take part in 18 events. “The budget allocated will include kit worth Rs. 5,000 for each athlete, travel and other expenses”. He said the tracksuit of the State’s contingent will have yellow and green as dominant colours, with a tinge of black.
“The bifurcation has in one way benefited the athletic fraternity as more athletes are provided with an opportunity to represent the new State of Andhra Pradesh,” Mr. Choudary pointed out.
He said as there was no separate Olympic Association for A.P. and Telangana after bifurcation, the preparation for the National Games was delayed considerably. “This process should have been completed two weeks ago,” he felt.
He said A.P. athletes have already started sweating it out in the training camps.
“We are planning to arrange a special compartment in the train for the athletes to travel from Vijayawada to Kerala on January 28,” he added.
He also said the kit would be presented to athletes practising in Vijayawada by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Republic Day.
