Sports

The development of a new athletics running track at Kurnool Stadium marks a significant step toward strengthening sports infrastructure in the district. The project is designed to provide athletes with a modern, high-quality training facility that meets competitive standards. Once completed, the track will support training for athletics events, fitness programs, and district- and state-level sports competitions. The upgraded facility is expected to benefit school and college students, professional athletes, and sports enthusiasts by offering a safe and well-maintained environment for practice and competitions. The initiative also reflects the government’s commitment to promoting grassroots sports, encouraging youth participation, and identifying talented athletes who can represent Kurnool at state and national levels. The new running track is expected to become a key venue for athletic events and help foster a stronger sporting culture across the district.

Minister for Food Processing and Industries, T.G. Bharat Gupta, on Monday reiterated that the State government was giving top priority to transform Kurnool stadium into a world-class sporting facility with advanced infrastructure and training amenities. The Minister visited the summer coaching camp here, along with Kurnool MP Bastipati Nagaraju, and Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Chairman Ravi Naidu.

Industries and Commerce Minister T.G. Bharat on Wednesday urged the Union government to prioritise Kurnool district in the upcoming sports development initiatives. Calling on Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in New Delhi, Mr. Bharat requested speedy approvals for ₹45.16 crore worth of projects proposed under the Khelo India scheme.The Minister said that Kurnool was fast emerging as a key economic and educational hub in Rayalaseema. It held high potential to grow into a major sports talent centre. He urged the Centre to sanction infrastructure such as indoor sports halls, a synthetic athletic track, football turf and a squash court, stating that these facilities would strengthen the district’s sports ecosystem and generate local employment.

Kurnool: The principal district and sessions judge and district collector inaugurated a private sports stadium in Kurnool on Sunday, urging the public to utilise its modern facilities and promote a healthy lifestyle through sports. Kurnool principal district and sessions judge G. Kabardhi expressed his happiness about the establishment of the stadium, encouraging local cricket players to enhance their skills. District collector P. Ranjit Basha emphasised the importance of utilising the sports complex, including the newly built swimming pool, to develop athletic talents. District SP Vikrant Patil also recognised the opportunity for cricket players and urged them to take full advantage of the facilities. Medchal principal district and sessions judge S.N. Sridevi, Kurnool RDO Sandeep Kumar, municipal commissioner S. Ravindra Babu, DSDO Bhupathi, and others also participated in the programme.

KURNOOL: A sport synonymous with Kerala’s serene backwaters is now scripting an unlikely success story in the rugged terrain of Rayalaseema. Dragon boat race— a demanding, team-driven water sport — is steadily gaining ground in Kurnool district, offering rural youth a new horizon of opportunity, discipline, and hope. Thanks to the committed efforts of the District Sports Authority (DSA), seasoned coaches, and enthusiastic trainees, Kurnool is fast emerging as an unexpected hub for dragon boating in Andhra Pradesh. At present, around 35 young athletes train daily at a lake near Nagaravanam (City Forest) on the outskirts of Gargeyapuram, where the rhythmic splash of paddles signals the rise of a new sporting culture. The initiative is closely supervised by the DSA, with coach B Chandrasekhar and Andhra Pradesh Dragon Boat Sports Association State General Secretary M Avinash playing pivotal roles. Their vision has introduced a non-traditional sport to the region. Chandrasekhar, deputed from the Police Department in 2022, expressed pride in the growing interest. “Every day, nearly 20 children come for practice between 6 and 9 am. The turnout clearly shows their passion,” he said. He explained that dragon boating demands stamina, coordination, and teamwork. “We begin with physical test, then focus on conditioning and strength-building before systematic water training — always under strict safety protocols.” The results have been remarkable. In the October State meet held in Kurnool, athletes won two gold, three silver, and one bronze. More recently, at the 13th Senior National Dragon Boat Championships in Delhi (2025), one Kurnool athlete clinched a bronze medal, proving that rural talent can shine nationally with the right guidance.