AP Speaker calls for effective implementation of sports quotas for athletes

Chintakayala Chairperson Ayyanna Patrudu, Sports Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy and Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra presented the prizes to the students during the closing ceremony of Amaravati 2026 Championship at SV University Auditorium in Tirupati on Saturday. | Photo credit: KV Poornachandra Kumar

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu emphasized the need to effectively implement sports quota to create more employment opportunities for sportspersons while integrating sports development with education in the state during National Sports Day celebrations at SV University (SVU) auditorium in Tirupati on Saturday.

On the occasion of the closing ceremony of Amaravati Championship 2026 here, Sports Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra, Tirupati MLA Arani Srinivasulu, Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chairman Chandra Mohan Reddy, Collector S. Venkateswar, Superintendent of Police (SP) Andba Prash PrayuAP LA Ravi Naidu and directors of SAAP attended the event.

The Speaker of the Assembly told the assembly, “While the children of the current generation are interested in sports, parents tend to favor academics. Balancing education and sports would lead to a better future for students. Providing incentives and job opportunities to students who excel in sports would further increase interest in athletics.”

Recalling his days as a volleyball player who competed at the district level, he suggested using the available space in each high school to set up sports facilities such as running tracks and volleyball and badminton courts. He also pointed out that sport contributes not only to health, but also to the development of the personality and prestige of the nation.

Meanwhile, Sports Minister Ramprasad said the government is moving forward with a special action plan to further develop the sports sector in the state and encourage talented sportspersons from the grassroots to the international level. He said that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was laying special emphasis on the development of sports.

Excise Minister Ravindra said the government is trying to identify sports talent at the grassroots level and provide better training and infrastructure to enable athletes to excel at the national and international levels. He expressed happiness that around 2,00,000 athletes from across the state participated in the Amaravati 2026 championships.

Published – 29 Aug 2026 20:40 IST