Telangana Unveils Ambitious Sports Policy 2025 to Elevate Indian Athletics

Telangana, home to prominent athletes such as Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal, and Sania Mirza, is prepared to revolutionize Indian sports with the introduction of its pioneering Sports Policy 2025. This policy stands as the most ambitious of its kind within India and will be unveiled at the inaugural Sports Conclave in Hyderabad on August 2. The event will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari, and Sports Authority of Telangana Chairman Shivasena Reddy, as announced by the Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG).

This significant gathering aims to convene key policymakers, esteemed athletes, coaches, and industry leaders to shape an era of new sporting excellence within the state. Featuring a sharp emphasis on grassroots development, athlete welfare, inclusivity, and advanced infrastructure, the policy seeks to establish Telangana as a leading force in Indian sports while delineating a direct route to Olympic success. A series of strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be executed with prominent corporations and organizations, including global entities like FIFA and acclaimed sports figures, marking a substantial endorsement of the initiative and pooling together expertise, investment, and influence to enhance the sporting domain in Telangana.

Further elevating its sports objectives, Telangana is instituting unprecedented rewards, extensive foundational support, and a staunch dedication to inclusivity. The Sports Policy 2025 is strategically crafted to cultivate sporting champions beyond mere medal accolades, spawning a statewide transformation to construct state-of-the-art infrastructure and provide world-class training facilities throughout every district, thereby reducing the urban-rural disparity. Ahead of the policy launch, Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari enthusiastically shared, as reported by the SATG release, "This policy exemplifies Telangana's commitment to pioneering India's sporting legacy. Our aspiration is to develop a nurturing environment where every child, from the smallest villages to the largest cities, can aspire to be champions. Our investment focuses on grassroots infrastructure, empowering para-athletes and female athletes, rewarding prowess, and creating role models to inspire generations. Sports, to us, symbolize more than victory—it embodies health, inclusion, opportunity, and communal pride."

To buttress its sports strategy with academic and professional credibility, the state plans to inaugurate a substantial sports university in Hyderabad, serving as an elite athlete training headquarters and a focal point for sports science and research, inclusive of specialized para-sports programs. An accompanying sports academy, steered by a national or international sports organizer, will be tasked with talent discovery across 14 prioritised sports, hosting high-performance training camps and international competitions, while a newly established sports development fund ensures transparency and sustainable funding.

The upcoming Sports Conclave, the first of its kind, is slated to attract distinguished sports figures such as Pullela Gopichand, Abhinav Bindra, Gagan Narang, and Anju Bobby George, as well as senior sports administrators and corporate social responsibility leaders from top organizations like Tata Trusts, Dream Sports Foundation, and Inspire Institute of Sports. Through this gathering, Telangana seeks to establish a significant blueprint for the state's athletic future.

(With inputs from agencies.)