State level basketball tourney inaugurated

Mahbubnagar: State-level Basketball tournament was launched with a big fanfare at the district stadium in Mahbubnagar on Saturday.

Inaugurating the sports meet, Mahbubnagar MP Jitender Reddy and local MLA Srinivas Goud saluted the marching sports contingents from the entire 10 districts.

Speaking on the occasion, MP Jitender Reddy assured that the State government would take all the necessary steps to make Mahbubnagar a big platform for sports in the state.

“There are many talented youth who are excelling in various sports from the district. Most of them are competing at the national and international levels too. The Telangana government will take all the steps to support the talented sports personalities and ensure that all required facilities will be available for the development of sports in the district,” said Jitender Reddy.

Earlier the MP expressed his concern over the way the officials were conducting their attitude towards sports. He said it was because of the lackadaisical attitude of the officials that the swimming pool in the district was closed.

“At least now the officials should play their role in enhancing sports in the district. The two per cent cess collected for the development of sports must be utilised properly to make sure all amenities for the sports persons are available,” opined Reddy.

MLA Srinivas Goud assured steps to release the SHAT funds would be taken soon and also an indoor stadium as well as a hostel would be developed at the district stadium.

On the first day of the tournament, the Basketball teams of Mahbubnagar and Karimnagar took part in the competition.

Municipal Chairman Radha Amar, District Olympic Association Chairman K S Ravikumar, and State Basketball President Rajender Reddy took part in the inaugural function of the state-level sports meet.