VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy would launch the first-of-its-kind sporting extravaganza, the Aadudam Andhra sports tournament, in Guntur on Tuesday. This is billed as the biggest-ever tournament in the state, for which 1.22 crore enthusiasts have registered for their participation.
The chief minister would inaugurate the programme in the Loyola Public School grounds, Nallapadu, Guntur district, on Dec 26. It will be held for 47 days from Dec 26, 2023 to Feb 10, 2024.
The chief minister said, “The objective of Aadudam Andhra is that we want many more PV Sindhus, Kidambi Srikanths and Ambati Rayadus to emerge from Andhra Pradesh.”
Aadudam Andhra is the first-ever sports competition in AP from village/ward secretariat level to state level. Sports festivals are being celebrated in a festive atmosphere from village/ward secretariat to the state level in cricket, volleyball, kabaddi, kho-kho and badminton doubles.
Officials said 34.19 lakh persons registered for their presence as players and 88.66 lakhs as spectators; taking the total to 122.85 lakh (1.22 crore).
Aadudam Andhra's goals are to promote a healthy lifestyle from the village level through sports and unearthing and polishing of the hidden talents of youths for national and international glory and to foster sportsmanship.
Prizes will be awarded at the constituency, district and state levels, for which Rs 12 crore will be offered in cash prizes and other exciting prizes.
Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) assistant director (technical) (AD) SV Ramana and administrative officer (AO) P Rama Krishna are supervising the Adudam Andhra sports festival inaugural arrangements at Nallapadu.
Besides the chief minister, tourism and sports minister RK Roja, several ministers, MPs, MLCs and MLAs would participate in the inaugural function.
To overcome ground scarcity for cricket, matches will be held in one village. Many villages do not have cricket grounds.
Minister Roja said the state government would field Sports ambassadors to inspire talented students and youth in sports. As many as 345 ambassadors were appointed including international and national-level players.
On the first day, the respective district’s joint collectors and district sports development officers (DSDO) would invite these ambassadors for the inauguration.
