WELL DONE: National shooting champion Sandesh Reddy receiving the cash award from Sports Minister M. Satyanarayana Rao at the function organised by SAAP at Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad on Thursday.

HYDERABAD: Minister for Sports M. Satyanarayana Rao on Thursday reiterated that the State Government was committed to promoting sports in a big way.

Speaking a function organised by the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh to honour performing athletes from the State, at the Lal Bahadur Stadium here, he stressed the need for parents to encourage children to take up sports in all seriousness besides academics.

Mr. Satyanarayana Rao said, "Recently, we requested Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy to increase the annual sports budget to Rs. 100 crores. We are appealing to the corporate groups to come forward in a big way to lend a helping hand in creating a sports culture across the State."

Diary released

The Minister also released the New Year diary brought out by SAAP.

The Minister presented cash awards totalling to about Rs. 27 lakhs, with 22 chess players being the major beneficiaries getting a total of Rs. 10.25 lakhs. Some 275 sportspersons got a total of about Rs. 16.70 lakhs for their performances in 2004 and 2005. Besides, 43 State Sports Associations were also given annual grants worth Rs. 2.37 lakhs for the last two years.

SAAP Chairman M. S. Raj Thakur and Vice-Chairman & Managing Director G. Kamala Vardhana Rao spoke.

To tap NRI funds

Meanwhile, SAAP plans to mobilise resources by trying to tap the NRIs' sporting interests and in the process create a Sports Development Fund.

Once the State Government gives the formal nod of approval, SAAP will approach the Union Finance Ministry to get the necessary tax exemption for those who wish to contribute to the Fund, Mr. Satyanarayana Rao said.

Setting itself a minimum target of at least Rs. 50 crores to create a corpus fund to take care of the minimum needs of the sportspersons and maintenance of the world class infrastructure in the twin cities and also in other major sporting centres in the State, the SAAP will try to capitalise on the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas meet being held in the city. NRIs can adopt a stadium in the district or a talented sportsperson or even a discipline depending on their financial capability.

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