The Olympic Day Run organised by the Olympic Association of Telangana State (OATS) and Sports Authority of Telangana State evoked good response with about 3,000 taking part in it on Saturday.
The run was flagged off from four centres – Charminar, Victory Playground, YMCA and Gandhi Statue at Secunderabad.
Adviser to Telangana Government B.V. Papa Rao, Principal Secretary B. Venkatesham, SATS Chairman A. Venkateshwar Reddy, OATS President K. Ranga Rao and Secretary S.R. Prem Raj were present.
“The State government has been encouraging sports and athletes in a big way ever since the new State was formed. All the issues faced by sports fraternity are being addressed in the right earnest and I hope the athletes will inspire more and more youth to take up sports,” Mr. Venkatesham said. “We take pride in the fact that Telangana has been producing medallists not just from cities, but from lesser-known towns which is a welcome sign,” he said.
Cash incentives
Mr. Venkateshwar Reddy said cash incentives by the State government and the recent GO of two per cent quota in government jobs for outstanding sportspersons were major initiatives in encouraging the young talent to dream big. “It’s the dream of our Chief Minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, to make Telangana the sports capital of India,” he said.
Prof. Ranga Rao thanked the government for all its support and hoped that the athletes would make use of various schemes to bring laurels to the State and the country.