NEW DELHI: The Chandrababu Naidu-led government in the state of Andhra Pradesh has begun the process of building a specialized, world-class sports city within the city of Amaravati, ANI reports. The aim of this initiative is to host India’s first-ever Olympic Games. The first phase of the project should be completed by 2021.
“Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has taken up this task upon himself to ensure that top class sporting complexes and facilities are developed which are needed to qualify to host Olympic Games. Once the Sports City is ready, Amaravati will be the first city in India to host the Olympic Games,” Sreedhar Cherukuri, commissioner of APCRDA, the nodal agency which is developing Amaravati, was quoted as saying to ANI.
“We are developing Sports City in Amaravati which will come in three phases and will comprise integrated sports hub spread in 20 acres with an estimated cost of Rs 14 billion, a multi-purpose sports stadium, multi-purpose training campus. Amaravati International Sports Complex, a Rs 600 million complex, will also be built on 8.9 acres which will revolutionise sports in Andhra Pradesh. Phase I will be ready by 2021,” he added.
ANI had reported back in July that the state government will be providing 90% of the subsidy for the sports complex, while the central government will contribute with the other 10%. It is estimated to be completed in May 2019 and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will be in charge of it.
It is also likely that the headquarters of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) will be shifted to this complex once ready for use. This can also help the SAAP to implement the government’s new grassroots development projects, ‘Panchajanya’ and ‘Project Gandiva’ much better in the future.
Coming back to the Sports City, the special chief secretary of Sports and Youth Affairs Andhra Pradesh , L.V. Subramanyam said:
“We are tying up with prominent global sports developing global sports developing agencies and also sporting personalities to take part in the development of Sports City. We are creating rehab and injury treatment centres, a first of its kind globally, for treating sports injuries. At least five sports universities that will nurture sports talents. Sports City will also be a hub of water sports and adventure sports.”
“Amaravati, the capital city of the future by the Andhra Pradesh government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is a symbol of sustainable inclusive growth. The futuristic capital is based on land pooling rather than land acquisition, clearly exemplifying the enthusiasm and support from the people of Andhra Pradesh in building this world-class capital. Moreover, Andhra Pradesh government has come out with an exhaustive sports policy which will take the sports to the new level.” Resident commissioner of the state government, Praveen Prakash added.
The Centre for Strategy and Leadership’s CEO and director, Vikas Sharma commented on the development as well.
“The global sports industry is in the range of USD 600-700 billion, of which India accounts for around 7-8 per cent. Keeping in view the opportunities India has in this regard the vision of creating Sports City is to make Amaravati the Centre for sports related activities in India. Sports City will revolutionise sporting and games in India. It will be most-sought-after sporting destination not just in India but globally. It will help nurture sporting talents in urban and rural India.” Sharma signed off.
