• Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, during the inaugural Telangana Sports Hub board meeting
• Calls for initiatives to establish a thriving sports ecosystem
• Resolutions passed on hosting Sports competitions, formation of sub-committees
HYDERABAD, AUGUST 28, 2025: The Sports Hub of Telangana, in its inaugural board meeting held in the city on Thursday, passed a resolution to host all sports competitions like Khelo India, Commonwealth and Olympics in the state. The Board also resolved to form sub-committees for effective maintenance of stadiums, improving sporting facilities, training players and coaches as well as to prepare action plans for implementing the various aspects of Telangana Sports Policy.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy said his vision is to establish Hyderabad as a preferred destination for sports through its robust policy and overall ecosystem, positioning the city on the national and international stage. The chief minister expressed his desire to foster a strong sporting culture, emulating the widespread IT culture in the state, with all families wanting their children to pursue careers in the field.
He explained that the state’s budget for sports has increased by sixteen times compared with the past. Besides extending incentives to sportspersons who performed well at the national and international levels, government jobs have also been provided, he added. “We have established the Young India Sports University to help improve the state’s sporting performances.”
Despite having significant sports facilities and stadiums in the state, there is a lack of proportionate number of coaches. Adding to this, the coaches have to be trained to match the international sports standards, he acknowledged. He urged the Board to formulate an action plan to this effect, for the next three years.
The Chief Minister urged the Board to formulate an action plan to ensure effective utilisation of the wide-scale sports facilities and stadiums across Hyderabad and Telangana, and to place Telangana among the top sporting destinations. He explained that the Board, comprising of corporates, sportspersons, and sports administrators, has been constituted to ensure the smooth provision of resources, expertise and management for development of the sports ecosystem in the state.
During the board meeting, former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev suggested that measures be taken to ensure every student participates in any sport, taking cues from Haryana’s roots in Wrestling and sporting culture at the Village level. Former Indian Shooter Abhinav Bindra said every school must have a physical education teacher as well as a physical education director.
Vita Dani of Dani Foundation also stressed the importance of sports and physical literacy at the school level. Former Badminton player Pullela Gopichand suggested conducting phase-wise sports competitions from right from the village level. Upasana Konidela, the co-chairman of the Sports Hub, suggested that Physiotherapy courses be included in the Sports University curriculum, while pointing out that the taxes on sports equipment was very high.
Dr Sanjiv Goenka, the Chairman of the Sports Hub, recommended that the top global executives hailing from the region be involved in the process of developing an effective sports ecosystem in the state. Chinta Sashidhar of the Vishwa Samudra Foundation highlighted the need for providing sports equipment for high-performing sportspersons, to draw better results.
Biyyala Papa Rao, a sports administrator, desired that coaches in the Sports University are of the standards of quality professors in the IITs. Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia suggested that Telangana replicate England’s model of conducting leagues across sports, while facilitating sports infrastructure at the village level. Renowned Volleyball player Ravikanth Reddy requested the effective utilisation of all sports facilities in the state.
Further to this, the Chief Minister revealed plans about holding sports competitions at village, mandal and Assembly constituency-levels, doing away with the existing framework. He explained that winners from these levels shall be tested at the Parliamentary constituency level, and ultimately at the state level.
The Chief Minister further said the issue of reducing taxes on sports equipment shall be taken to the Centre’s notice, while assuring that all possible support from the state government’s side shall be extended. He responded positively to the inclusion of Physiotherapy and other sports-related courses in the Sports University.
Minister for Sports Sri. Vakiti Srihari, Special Chief Secretary to the government Jayesh Ranjan, Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) Chairman Shiva Sena Reddy, SATG Vice Chairman & MD Sonibala Devi and other officials participated in the meeting.
