Nara Lokesh Seeks Centre’s Support to Transform Amaravati into World-Class Sports Hub
Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology and Youth Services, Nara Lokesh, has appealed to Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya to extend central support for the development of a world-class Sports City in Amaravati. Lokesh met with the Union Minister in New Delhi and submitted a comprehensive proposal outlining Andhra Pradesh’s vision to emerge as a leading destination for sports excellence in India.
Speaking during the meeting, Lokesh stated that Amaravati’s capital development is progressing rapidly and that the state government is placing high priority on creating robust sports infrastructure. He emphasized that the proposed Sports City will provide international-standard training facilities and support systems for athletes to compete at both national and global levels.
He further expressed Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to nurturing talent from the grassroots. “We are urging schools and institutions across the state to actively promote sports from the village level,” Lokesh said. He proposed the establishment of Centers of Excellence for athletics, archery, and weightlifting at Nagarjuna University near Guntur, and for hockey and shooting at the Kakinada District Sports Authority Grounds.
Key Proposals Submitted by Lokesh:
- Approval of 39 sports infrastructure projects worth ₹341.57 crore under the Khelo India scheme.
- Establishment of a Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre in Tirupati.
- Creation of a State-Level Khelo India Athletics and Wrestling Center in Tirupati.
- District-level Khelo India Centres in all 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh.
- Railway Sports Concession Passes for athletes nationwide to enhance accessibility and mobility.
In response, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya assured full cooperation in realizing Andhra Pradesh’s vision. He also agreed to support the development of ESI hospitals in the state, with plans to expand services for better healthcare infrastructure.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Lokesh presented Minister Mandaviya with a copy of the book documenting his Yuvagalam Padayatra, a state-wide youth outreach initiative.
