The much-awaited proposal to set up an archery academy in the town appears to have moved a step closer to becoming a reality with a visit of a team of officials from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Tuesday.
There have been persistent pleas from the archery enthusiasts in Khammam for an exclusive sports academy dedicated to imparting world-class training in archery in the town.
SAI delegation
A delegation from the SAI, headed by Deputy Director Srilatha, inspecting two sites — one adjacent to Sequel Resorts and another near the VDOs colony — proposed for the archery academy, as part of a feasibility study.
The delegation’s visit rekindled hopes among sports lovers particularly the archery enthusiasts in the district and the adjoining Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, the tribal heartland of Telangana known for its large pool of talented archers.
The erstwhile Khammam district has the distinction of churning out many talented archers of high calibre.
Medal winners
Several former students of the Tribal Welfare Residential Sports School at Kinnerasani, now part of Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, proved their mettle in the national level archery competitions in the past.
Shiva Shankar, an alumni of the sports school, brought laurels to erstwhile Khammam district by participating in an international archery tournament held in the United States a couple of years ago.
Nurturing talent
Accompanied by Khammam MLA Puvvada Ajay Kumar, the SAI officials inspected the two-acre land proposed for the archery academy abutting Sequel Resorts here on Tuesday.
District Archery Association president S. Sarangapani and secretary P. Shankaraiah were also present.
Mr. Ajay apprised the SAI delegation of the need for nurturing the budding talents. He assured all possible help to the SAI in setting up the archery academy in Khammam.
Stadium development
Further, there were plans to construct dormitories and take up infrastructure development works at the Sardar Patel Stadium in the town by utilising funds from the Municipal Corporation’s special grant.
Ms Srilatha told newsmen that she had come to the town to conduct a feasibility study.
The SAI has received a letter from Rajya Sabha member Renuka Chowdary pertaining to pleas from archery enthusiasts for establishing an archery academy in Khammam, she said.
