APL season-3 kicks off in Visakhapatnam, govt promises to nurture talent

Minister for Transport, Sports and Youth, Ram Prasad Reddy, emphasized the government's “unwavering” support for cricket, especially from rural areas. He promised that the new administration would avoid political interference in sports, allowing athletes to thrive on merit.

The inauguration began with a welcoming speech by APL secretary Gopinath Reddy and gave his best wishes to the participating players. He noted that APL is a BCCI-approved league and praised the extensive screening process that saw 3,000 participants, out of which seven gully cricket players were selected.

Vizag North MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju welcomed the guests and expressed pride that half of the players representing India hailed from AP. He urged MPs, MLAs and other leaders to encourage cricket by granting more ground for sports in the state.

Parliamentarian M Bharat emphasized the role of APL in providing a platform for players to ascend to the IPL and national teams. He said the government would limit interference in sports, focusing instead on providing funds and passing supportive bills.

Minister Ram Prasad Reddy concluded the speeches by thanking the organisers and wishing all cricketers the best. He praised Team India for their World Cup victory and announced the government's plan to scout for talent from rural areas, ensuring that the new government would support cricket without political interference.

Collector Mayur Ashok praised the successful execution of the league. He noted the prevailing cricket fever following India's T20 victory. Mayor Hari Kumari offered her best wishes to all participants.

The event saw the presence of several dignitaries including Vijayawada MP Kesineni Srinivas and ACA president Sarat Chandra Reddy.