The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : National School Games Hockey Championships inaugurated

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

National School Games Hockey Championships inaugurated

Staff Reporter

27 teams from 23 States taking part in the tournament

SPORTING SPIRIT: Players lighting the torch at the inauguration of the 54th National School Games Hockey Championship in Nellore district on Friday.

KANUPARTHIPADU (NELLORE DT.): The 54th National School Games Hockey Championship for under-17 boys and girls was inaugurated at Zilla Parishad High School grounds here on Friday.

Information and Public Relations Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, Rajya Sabha member M. Venkaiah Naidu and others inaugurated the tournament by hoisting the national and State School Games Federation of India’s flags.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said it was nice to know that Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore district had become a venue for several national-level games and sports events since 1984.

Sports neglected

Mr. Venkaiah Naidu said though there were several players in India, there was no proper coaching and encouragement for hockey players.

Except cricket and a few other games, the government was not showing much interest in highlighting the events and supporting the players.

It was unfortunate that India could not win any Olympic medal in hockey and the country was lagging behind in the games and sports, he said and urged the government to allot more funds for developing sports.

Mohammad Riyaz, who represented the country twice in the Olympics, thanked the State government for hosting the national-level hockey tournaments.

Facilities sought

He stressed the need for providing more facilities to hockey players in the country.

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