Buoyed by IPL win, CSK to set up cricket academies in Kadapa, Tirupati, Mangalagiri, Vizag

Amaravati: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will soon set up four cricket academies in Andhra Pradesh. Cricket academies will be established at Kadapa, Tirupati, Mangalagiri, and Visakhapatnam.

Stating that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) team has come forward to develop cricket academy in the state, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy instructed the officials to work towards establishing cricket academies and facilities to encourage the youth to join sporting activities.

It may be noted that the Chennai Super Kings led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the IPL 2023 trophy, beating Gujarat Titans. People are much excited about their favorite team setting up an academy in the State.

Earlier, former India ODI specialist and Chennai Super Kings regular Ambati Rayudu met Jagan Mohan Reddy in Vijayawada and showed his interest to develop a sports culture in the state.

Rayudu had discussed ideas on the development of sports in the State. As a native of Guntur, he was keen to give back to his state by creating more avenues for youth at the grassroots to get to play and learn professional sports.

World-class stadium in Vizag

Emphasizing the necessity of taking all possible steps to encourage cricket and other sports in the State, Jagan asked the officials to work towards establishing a modern cricket stadium in Visakhapatnam.

"Once the new stadium comes, the present Dr. Y. S. Rajashekar Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam should be developed as a centre of excellence for sports," Jagan said.

Department of Youth Advancement, Tourism, and Culture (Sports) was asked to start constructing a new world-class cricket stadium in Visakhapatnam.

Vizag stadium hosted its first ODI match against Pakistan, in which Mahendra Singh Dhoni scored his maiden one-day international century (148) in 2005. After being given Test status, it hosted its first test match in November 2016, between India and England. India won the match by 246 runs.

The stadium also hosted IPL matches and was the home ground of Deccan Chargers in 2012 and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2015 along with Rising Pune Supergiants and Mumbai Indians together in 2016.

Play Andhra Pradesh-Sports Festival:

Play Andhra Pradesh (Adudam Andhra) sports festival will be soon held across the state to encourage more youth to actively participate in sports and games and identify talent for further grooming.

While the official dates for the festival are to be finalized, officials have been told to take steps to organize the Adudam Andhra festival under the aegis of village and ward secretariats in Mandal and Assembly constituencies.

An action plan is being formulated to conduct cricket, badminton, volleyball, kho-kho, and kabaddi competitions.

Chief Minister said the village-to-state level events will bring out the hidden sports talent. "While organizing the event in a prestigious manner, the festival should inspire others. Special teams should be formed to conduct the event successfully. Apart from providing good lodging and boarding facilities to the participants, ensure that all famous sports persons from the State take part in the event," Jagan said.