The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : “India’s show at Olympics will inspire youth”

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Friday, Aug 22, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

“India’s show at Olympics will inspire youth”

Staff Reporter

Gudivada is hosting the 23rd AP State Youth Inter-district Basketball Championship

GUDIVADA: The success story of India at the ongoing Olympics in Beijing will inspire many youngsters to take up sports and games, which will help them grow fit and healthy, according to M. Nagarjuna, chairman of State SC and ST Commission.

Speaking at the inaugural of the 23rd AP State Youth Inter-District Basketball Championship at NTR Stadium here on Thursday, Mr. Nagarjuna advised corporate schools and colleges to earmark sufficient time for sports and games along with education.

“Municipal and government schools and colleges are being pushed into the oblivion gradually. Corporate educational institutions believe only in imparting education in a strenuous manner to the children. That is the reason why modern day youth are suffering from diabetes, blood pressure and other chronic ailments due to lack of physical fitness,” he observed.

Gudivada Municipal Chairman Lanka Dasari Prasada Rao said that the stadium was the brainchild of former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao, and it was serving the sporting needs of youth in nine mandals and 36-odd villages around Gudivada.

Funds released

“It was a lake earlier, and it was transformed into a quality playfield with all facilities. It is unfortunate that sports and games are looked down upon by governments which are allocating only meagre budgets,” he said.

Revenue Divisional Officer S. Venkateswara Rao said a budget of Rs. 13 lakhs was approved by the NTR Stadium Committee for 2008-2009 for conducting various sports and games.

Joint Director ( Social Welfare) Mallikharjuna Rao, Andhra Pradesh Basketball Association secretary Sampath Kumar and others took part in the inaugural function of the tourney, featuring 18 teams of boys and 10 teams of girls from all over the State.

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