Vizianagaram to become a sports hub

Vizianagaram: The district, which is infamous for being backward in all aspects, is turning out to be hub for sports and related activities. Vizianagaram is getting the new tag of sports hub of Andhra Pradesh, as the government sanctioned various stadiums, sports complexes and others.

Sir Vijayanand (Vizzy) Stadium in Vizianagaram has become the centre for various sports and games. The government has allotted regional sports school at Vizzy stadium. Currently, state has only one sports school at Kadapa and now the second school will be established here by spending of Rs20 crores. Experts and coaches of Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) visited the stadium and expressed their willingness to set up sports school.

 Though, the school was proposed to set up at Vizag but due to the various, administration, political reasons, it was transferred to Vizianagaram. If it materialises, around 360 students from across the state will train in various games and sports like hockey, tennis, volleyball and others. Recently, the government has allocated Rs 8 crore to the stadium to lay synthetic running track. Apart from this, the government also allocated Rs 2.5 crore to Vizzy stadium to develop another ground. Recently, a synthetic tennis court was also inaugurated and around Rs.2 crore was spent to develop the court. 

The SAAP has also sanctioned a water sports complex at Tatipudi reservoir, for rowing, yachting canoeing and kayaking. Water sports complex was alsoslated at Rushikonda in Vizag but the government has shifted it to Vizianagaram and allocated Rs 3 crore beside allotting 5 acres of land. The government feels that it would help to encourage tourism. The government also identified around 165 ZP high schools to sanction Rs 5 lakh for developing grounds and to provide basic amenities for sports and games.District sports development officer A Surya Rao said that they were getting complete administrative support to ground the projects. 

“All these projects will come into reality within few months. These projects will change the face of the district and entire state will look at Vizianagaram. Sports school and water sports complex are very good projects and they will have complete infrastructure and national-level coaches and fitness trainers,” he added.