Vijayawada: The Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) on Monday unveiled the poster for Amaravati Championship 2.0, the state’s flagship sports event aimed at identifying and nurturing young talent.
SAAP chairman Animini Ravi Naidu, along with vice-chairman and managing director S Bharani, chess Grandmaster Koneru Humpy and double Olympian Rajani, unveiled the poster at the SAAP headquarters on the premises of the Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) Stadium in Vijayawada.
The championship will feature competitions in 12 sporting disciplines, including athletics, basketball, kabaddi, hockey and weightlifting, for Under-17 and Under-23 categories. Selection trials will be conducted in all 175 Assembly constituencies from July 15 to 24, followed by district-level competitions from August 1 to 15 and State-level events from August 20 to 25.
Addressing the gathering, Ravi Naidu said the championship is being organised under the guidance of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. He said the government has earmarked Rs.94 lakh as cash prizes for winners, which will be presented on National Sports Day (August 29). More than three lakh students and young athletes are expected to participate.
He urged parents to encourage children to pursue sports alongside academics, stating that the championship aims to discover hidden sporting talent from rural and urban areas and provide themwith opportunities to excel at higher levels.
Ravi Naidu said the state government has also sanctioned Rs.2.5 crore to support the training of athletes selected for the Commonwealth and Asian Games. Outstanding District Sports Development Officers (DSDOs) and coaches will be honoured during the championship.
SAAP vice-chairman and managing director S Bharani described Amaravati Championship 2.0 as a unique platform for students from school to university level to showcase their talent and appealed to all stakeholders to make the event a grand success.
SAAP administrative officer Ramavath Venkata Ramana Naik, international sportspersons and SAAP officials attended the programme.
