National-level kickboxing tourney begins in Karimnagar

Karimnagar: Kickboxing is slowly shaping up as a self-defence sport. Kickboxing sportspersons must join the Indian army to render services to the country, said Karimnagar MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar after inaugurating national-level kickboxing tournament at Dr BR Ambedkar Indoor Stadium here on Wednesday. District and State kickboxing associations had organised the competitions.

Speaking on the occasion, MP Sanjay Kumar said that students must participate in various games and sports along with concentrating on studies. Identifying the necessity of games and sports, the Central government is investing crores of rupees for developing various games and for giving training to students and sportspersons.

The MP said that the Central government had introduced a new initiation in the name of Khel India-Fit India to encourage sportspersons present across the country. Youth must participate in games and sports and must show their skills, he added. With the funds released from the Central government, a synthetic track will be constructed in Ambedkar stadium in Karimnagar at a cost of Rs 7.5 crores and also with an investment of Rs 18 crores, the stadium will be renovated under the sport city project, he told. Sanjay Kumar appreciated organisers Srinivas and R Prasanna Krishna for conducting the national-level competitions in Karimnagar district for the first time.

Kickboxing association national president Santosh Agarwal said that about 2,800 sportspersons from 29 States will be participating in the national-level kickboxing competitions that will be held for three days in Karimnagar. All the participants are provided with free accommodation and meals, he added.

Kickboxing association members Anand Babu, DYSO G Ashok Kumar, Arjuna Award winner M Srinivas Rao, C Ramanjaneyulu, M Mahipal. G Janardhan Reddy, S Siddareddy and Komuraiah were present along with others.