CM releases new sports policy

Thrust is on promoting excellence in all disciplines

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu released the sports policy for 2017-2022 on the concluding day of the two-day district Collectors’ conference here on Thursday.

The government, after a careful examination of several issues, obtained suggestions from various stakeholders to incorporate in the policy a sports culture that promotes excellence in all disciplines.

Tapping talent

The policy is aimed at spotting and nurturing talent and supporting participation in national and international events, thereby produce medal winners at national and international levels.

In several district headquarters, infrastructure is given a boost, tapping both Central and State funds.

After bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh has been put to immense loss as world-class infrastructure to host, to train, and to exhibit talent remained in Telangana.

The government is aware that athletes of Andhra Pradesh are in urgent need of infrastructure and training facilities.

LTAD programmes

The policy is conceived taking into consideration changes in the implementation of Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) programmes across the globe and use of sophisticated equipment in training and in performance.

The policy also believes that sports science has come to prevail in the thinking of sports bodies as a necessary tool to enhance performance and has realised the keenness on the part of private players to invest and get involved in the conduct of competitions and building modern facilities.

The earliest consultation process was held in Acharya Nagarjuna University on February 20, 2015, for development of a new sports policy.

Mr. Naidu reviewed the draft sports policy and made some suggestions. The final draft was approved by the Council of Ministers on May 15, which would remain in force up to March 31, 2022.

Sports Minister Kollu Ravindra and Special Chief Secretary L.V. Subrahmanyam were present.