AP slams Gopichand deal
The SAAP MD has stated that he has interacted with around 50 sports associations so far.
Vijayawada: The state government’s proposed MoU with Gopichand Sports, for the development of sports in the state, has been left hanging. The earlier MD of SAAP, G. Rekha Rani had signed the MoU and sent it to the government. And the new MD, Bangarraju has no idea about the same. This subject is going to be a big issue at the proposed meeting on December 7, at Vijayawada, for which representatives of sports associations, retired sports officers, Arjuna and Dronacharya awardees and SAI Director General, Injeti Srinivas are expected.
The SAAP MD has stated that he has interacted with around 50 sports associations so far. A majority of them are opposing the proposed MoU with Gopichand Sports (GS). They find an MoU with GS an insult to the talent of AP sports personalities. Since Gopichand and P.V. Sindhu had declined to represent AP at the 2015 National Games in Kerala, the AP sports associations are strongly objecting to the move for a MoU, with Gopichand Sports.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on the same, AP Badminton Association General Secretary, K. Ph Punnaiah Chowdary lambasted the government for initiating such a move.
“Is it not an insult to the self-esteem of eminent sports personalities born in AP?,” he asked adding how and why the government preferred a Telangana sports personality, for developing sports infrastructure in the state.
He also said that he has sent mails to the Chief Minister, Sports Minister, Sports Secretary and also to top TD leaders, stating that no steps to develop sports took place in the past three years in the state.
Former SAAP Deputy Director, G Gopichand felt that there is no point in attending the proposed meeting of December 7. “The government is deviating from the very assurances it has given the sports world in AP,” he said and questioned why the government ignored the late Chief Minister N T Rama Rao’s proposal of setting of Mandal Sports Authorities (MSA’s). He also asked why the sports policy of the year 2000 hasn’t been properly implemented till today.