Hyderabad, Apr 5 (TNT): Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy presented the trophy to the CISF team, the winners of the B. N. Mullik Memorial All India Police Football Championship, at Gachibowli Stadium here on Sunday.
Addressing on the occasion, Reddy said Hyderabad has a rich football legacy and was once regarded as the “nursery of Indian football,” producing several top players between the 1950s and 1960s.
He noted that 34 teams from across the country participated in the event, showcasing high standards of sporting talent, and congratulated all players for their performance.
Highlighting history, he said seven members of the Indian football team in the 1956 Olympics hailed from Hyderabad, while the Hyderabad Police football team has earned national recognition.
Expressing concern, Reddy said today’s youth are drifting away from sports and cautioned that moving away from playgrounds would be detrimental to the nation’s future.
Referring to global comparisons, he cited South Korea’s success in international sports despite its smaller population and stressed the need to strengthen sports infrastructure in India.
He announced that the state is establishing the Young India Sports University at an international level through a public-private partnership, with eminent sportspersons and industrialists as board members.
The Chief Minister said efforts are being made to steer youth away from drug abuse and negative influences, warning that issues such as drugs and cybercrime are emerging challenges.
He also highlighted government initiatives to promote sports, including providing a Group-1 job and ₹2 crore cash reward to boxer Nikhat Zareen, appointing cricketer Mohammed Siraj as a DSP by relaxing norms, and offering a Group-1 job to Paralympian Deepti Jhurani.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, he said Telangana youth excelling in sports would be provided employment opportunities.
TNT TS
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