A State–level Olympic Run was organised here on Wednesday jointly by the Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association (APOA), Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) and Andhra Pradesh Youth Services and Sports, in which more than 1,500 athletes from all districts took part.
The run, flagged off by Minister for Sports Kollu Ravindra and Minister for Water Resources Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao from Hotel D.V. Manor, witnessed players and athletes wearing white attire following the torch bearer Olympian weightlifter M.V. Manikyala Rao, till IGMC stadium.
However, drawing the attention of the bystanders were the kid archers, skaters and judokas, who showcased their talent. Kid archer Cherukuri Dolly Shivani and International skater Devi Sri Prasad looked awesome with their riveting performance.
Mr. Ravindra said that the State government was ready to organise National Games in 2018. “With the support of sports associations, the State government is getting ready to spruce up stadiums and playfields for the prestigious National Games event on a par with international standards”.
“Everyone should get inspiration Olympic silver medallist shuttler P.V. Sindhu and badminton sensation Kidambi Srikanth, who won back-to-back super series titles in Indonesia and Australia,” he said.
He said that to encourage sports and games, the State government was developing stadiums in each Assembly constituency. “There is also a proposal to construct an international stadium at Amaravati.”
Mr. Uma Maheswara Rao said that sports and games shouldn’t be limited to towns or cities but should be extended to villages. Youth Services and Sports Special Chief Secretary L.V. Subramanyam said the State government gave priority to sports and games and creating facilities to the players.
City Mayor Koneru Sridhar urged the government to release funds for the development of IGMC stadium, Makineni Basavapunnaih stadium and Chennupati Ramakotaiah Indoor stadiums.
Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Uma Maheswara Rao, APOA secretary R.K. Purushotham, Vice President K. Pattabhi, Badminton Association of India (BAI) secretary (tournaments) K. Ch. Punnaiah Chowdary, SAAP Officer on Special Duty (OSD) P. Rama Krishna and others participated.
