The board also decided to constitute sub-committees to oversee critical areas such as stadium maintenance, development of sporting infrastructure, training of athletes and coaches, and implementing the comprehensive Telangana Sports Policy.
Published Aug 29, 2025 | 12:27 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 29, 2025 | 12:27 PM
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy with veteran sportspersons during the inauguration of Telangana Sports Hub.
Synopsis: The Telangana government announced its ambitions to make the state the sports hub of India. The newly formed Telangana Sports Hub adopted a resolution to host major sports events in the state, including the Olympics in the future.
The Revanth Reddy administration in Telangana seems determined to reach the moon. After successfully bringing the global spotlight on Hyderabad by hosting the 72nd Miss World Pageant earlier this year, the government now appears to be setting its sights even higher, this time in the world of sports.
From the Olympic Games to the Commonwealth Games and the national-level Khelo India competitions, Telangana has announced its ambitions to become the sports hub of India.
At its inaugural board meeting in Hyderabad on Thursday, 28 August, the newly formed Telangana Sports Hub adopted a resolution to host major sports events in the state, including the Olympics in the future.
The board also decided to constitute sub-committees to oversee critical areas such as stadium maintenance, development of sporting infrastructure, training of athletes and coaches, and implementing the comprehensive Telangana Sports Policy.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who chaired the meeting, said he wanted to transform Hyderabad into one of the most preferred sports destinations in India and abroad.
“We want to position Telangana on the national and international stage as the most happening state in terms of sports,” he said, stressing that sports must become an integral part of family culture and children should be encouraged to build careers in athletics.
The chief minister reminded the board that the state government has already taken significant steps to strengthen sports. The sports budget has been increased nearly sixteen-fold compared to earlier allocations, he said. Incentives and government jobs are now being extended to sportspersons excelling at national and international levels.
“We have also established the Young India Sports University, which will be instrumental in raising Telangana’s sporting performance to global standards,” he added.
However, Revanth Reddy admitted that challenges remain. While Telangana already has a robust infrastructure of stadiums and training facilities, the state does not have a sufficient number of qualified coaches.
Further, many of the existing coaches need specialised training to meet international benchmarks. He directed the board to prepare a three-year action plan to address these gaps.
The chief minister also emphasised the need to fully utilise existing sports facilities across Hyderabad and other districts. The Sports Hub, which includes representatives from corporates, veteran sportspersons, and administrators, has been tasked with ensuring that the state’s sports ecosystem is guided by professional expertise, resources, and efficient management practices.
He also revealed the government’s plans to revamp the competitive sports structure in Telangana. Instead of the current framework, the state will soon launch multi-tier competitions at village, mandal, and Assembly constituency levels.
Winners from these stages will progress to Parliamentary constituency-level contests, before eventually competing at the state level. This model, he explained, will widen the talent pool and give local players opportunities to rise to the top.
Former Indian cricket team captain Kapil Dev suggested that measures be taken to ensure every student participates in a sport, taking a cue from Haryana’s roots in Wrestling and sporting culture at the Village level.
Former sport shooter and Olympian Abhinav Bindra said every school must have a physical education teacher as well as a physical education director. Vita Dani of the Dani Foundation also stressed the importance of sports and physical literacy at the school level.
Former Badminton player Pullela Gopichand, who is now the Chief National Coach for the India national badminton team, suggested conducting phase-wise sports competitions from right from the village level.
Upasana Konidela, the co-chairman of the Sports Hub, suggested that Physiotherapy courses be included in the Sports University curriculum, while pointing out that the taxes on sports equipment were very high.
Dr Sanjiv Goenka, the Chairman of the Sports Hub, recommended that the top global executives hailing from the region be involved in the process of developing an effective sports ecosystem in the state.
Chinta Sashidhar of the Vishwa Samudra Foundation highlighted the need for providing sports equipment for high-performing sportspersons to draw better results. Biyyala Papa Rao, a sports administrator, desired that coaches in the Sports University have the standards of quality professors in the IITs.
Former Indian football captain Bhaichung Bhutia suggested that Telangana replicate England’s model of conducting leagues across sports, while facilitating sports infrastructure at the village level. Renowned Volleyball player Ravikanth Reddy requested the effective utilisation of all sports facilities in the state.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
