The Andhra Pradesh State Government has decided to enhance budgetary allocation for developing sports infrastructure in all the districts.
The decision comes in the light of Andhra Pradesh being selected to host the national games of 2018-19. Labour Minister K. Atchan Naidu, who replied a query on the issue during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Tuesday, said the State Government was expected to make allocation of close to Rs.1,000 crore for developing stadia in different districts.
Of this, close to Rs.150 crore would be spent on procurement of the necessary equipment in the stadia. Recalling the representation made by 70 MLAs for setting up stadia in their respective constituencies, he said the Government would examine the proposals and sanction in constituencies where a minimum of five acres land was available for setting up the necessary infrastructure.
It was contemplated to take up the works on public private partnership mode incorporating a provision for setting up shopping complexes and other infrastructure on the premises of the proposed stadia. This would make stadia self sufficient in terms of revenues while the PPP mode would also help in effective maintenance of the stadiums.
In addition, the Government would also take steps to recruit physical education trainers and coaches from within and outside the State to train youth in different sports activities.
He said equipment worth Rs.500 crore was with the sports authority of neighbouring Telangana State of which Andhra Pradesh's share was close to Rs.250 crore.
