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Encourage sports: Speaker

By Our Staff Reporter

RAJAMPET (CUDDAPAH DT.), FEB. 8. The Assembly Speaker, K.R. Suresh Reddy, on Tuesday stressed the need for encouragement to sports, saying the field was being neglected due to more preference currently being given to academics, leaving no time for sports among students.

Mr. Reddy inaugurated the six-day 31st National Junior Volleyball Championship for Boys and Girls at the Rajampet Government Junior College grounds. He lit a lamp, hoisted the Anhra Pradesh Volleyball Association flag and took the salute from 26 State teams, which staged a marchpast.

Mr. Suresh Reddy said the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, accorded priority to rural development, to ensure all-round development of villages and not merely giving a boost to agriculture. Such sports events would provide an impetus to sports in rural areas and inspire local sportspersons. He lamented that a huge, thickly populated nation like India won a lone silver medal in the Olympics.

Advice to sportspersons

Speaking alternately in Hindi, English and Telugu, he exhorted sportspersons to exchange their traditions, cultural diversity and also their culinary skills. He advised the district administration to arrange a visit of all the participants to Tirumala and lauded the Rajampet MLA, K. Prabhavathamma's efforts to hold the championship here.

Ms. Prabhavathamma said that she had organised five public meetings of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at the venue. Describing the championship as a big event in a small place, she thanked departments and industrialists who contributed their mite for the championship. Volleyball players of the district, Kareemullah, Biyabani and Vasumati, had played in the national team and international arena.

Indoor stadium

The ZP Chairman, K. Suresh Babu, said the ZP sanctioned Rs. 4 lakhs for the event. He asked students to excel in sports along with education, as it would generate jobs. An indoor stadium was proposed at Cuddapah with an outlay of Rs. 10 crores, he said.

The Joint Collector, Kanthilal Dande, said Mr. Suresh Reddy, a cricketer, was the right chief guest for the event. The AP Volleyball Association president, Kodandaramaiah, promised to hold an Indian exhibition match here. The Speaker handed over the championship torch to Vasumati of Kuchivaripalle in Rajampet, who played in the Asia Junior Volleyball Championship in Vietnam. International referee, Iliyas, took oath on behalf of the officials and players.

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