Vijayawada: Vijayawada MP Kesineni Shivanath (Chinni) along with MLAs in the district have launched an ambitious initiative to ensure that every school in the region has access to a playground. Under the innovative program, ‘Manabadi – Mana Maidanam’, efforts are underway to provide playgrounds to schools lacking these facilities.
The state govt recognises the critical role of sports in the mental and physical development of students, especially in an era dominated by gadgets and mobile phones. Research highlights that sport not only improves physical fitness but also enhances cognitive abilities and concentration. The Panchayati Raj department has already devised a plan to develop playgrounds in zilla parishad and mandal parishad schools across Andhra Pradesh. In Vijayawada and NTR district, work has begun on establishing playgrounds in 145 govt schools in the first phase. The facilities will include equipment and facilities for long jump, badminton, netball, handball, and chess. Additionally, training will be provided in eight sports disciplines, ensuring students receive structured coaching.
Chinni emphasized the importance of integrating sports into education. “Sport is essential for children’s overall development. By providing proper facilities and training, we aim to nurture young talents who can represent the country on global platforms,” he said.
Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) is also organizing district-level sports competitions..
