Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government is set to organise sports competitions for MLAs and MLCs at Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada from March 18 to 19. Chief whip GV Anjaneyulu announced the event after inspecting the stadium and holding a press conference at the tennis court on Sunday.
He emphasised that such sports competitions were a long-standing tradition but had been neglected by the previous government. However, chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and speaker Chintakayala Ayyannapatrudu have revived the initiative, recognising its role in promoting fitness, stress relief, and camaraderie among legislators. He also stated that the government aims to develop stadiums in every constituency, prioritizing both sports and tourism.
The event will feature 12 sports, including cricket, badminton, tennis, kabaddi, volleyball, table tennis, 100-meter race, and tug of war. The competitions will take place from 3 PM on March 18 and 19 at the stadium. Additionally, a budget dinner and cultural programs will be held on March 20 at Haritha Berm Park, where winners will be honored.
Chief whip Anjaneyulu criticised the previous government’s lack of focus on tourism and sports, stating that the current administration aims to nurture Olympic-level talent. AP Government Whip Yarlagadda Venkatarao expressed appreciation for reviving the tradition, urging opposition members to actively participate rather than just seeking status and a platform to speak.
The event is being organized with the participation of APLA Secretary Prasanna Kumar, TDLP in-charge Koneru Suresh and others.
