Andhra CM lays foundation stone of mega sports complex

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 60 crore mega sports complex in Vijayawada.

The Amaravati International Sports Complex will be built on 8.9 acres of land.

There will be two swimming pools with the size of 50x20 metres and 20x20 metres, multipurpose indoor hall, outdoor synthetic track and a G+2 clubhouse in the complex.

The headquarters of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) will be shifted to this complex.

While attending the event, Chandrababu Naidu said, "Doesn't India has the capability to host Olympics? I demand the central government to bid for Olympics to be held in Amaravati. We will develop Amaravati as a sports hub."

The Andhra Pradesh government had decided to develop Amaravati, Vizag and Tirupati as sports cities. They will be spending Rs 54 crore and the Centre will provide a grant of Rs 6 crore for the sports complex.

The work has been handed over to the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and the project is set to be completed in 10 months.

Similarly, the state government is implementing Panchajanya sports scheme to develop sports in the state.

Accordingly, 303 schools in the state were identified by Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh to promote sports. Out of which, 100 schools will be selected to provide basic infrastructure facilities like 200 metres running track and various courts etc.

Meanwhile, Chandrababu Naidu has also launched 'Project Gandiva'.

"To revolutionise sports in Andhra Pradesh, @SportsinAP is launching #ProjectGaandiva. Under this project, govt will select students of age between 10-16 years from village to State level, and provide them with international level facilities, infrastructure and coaching," he tweeted on Tuesday.

This project aims to achieve medals in Olympic Games in a span of ten years. The government wants to make Andhra Pradesh No.1 in the country in athletics .

Coinciding with the function, Chandrababu also announced financial aid of Rs 10 lakhs to Ch Satyanarayana of Lenin Volga Archery Academy whose daughter set a world record of shooting 100 arrows in the least time.