21,500 athletes compete in CM’s Cup state-level finals, meet inaugurated on Friday

The state-level finals of the 2nd edition of the Chief Minister’s Cup 2025 were inaugurated at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday evening.

The tournament has witnessed a remarkable 5,15,936 registrations from across Telangana. Out of these, 21,500 athletes qualified for the state-level finals after successfully progressing through mandal and district-level competitions. The finals, being held from February 19 to 26, feature competitions across 44 disciplines, with participants representing rural, urban, and tribal regions. The initiative aims to identify and nurture sporting talent and build a strong pathway for athletes to excel at national and international levels.

Athletes line up for the CM Cup inauguration at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday

Addressing the gathering, sports minister Vakiti Srihari stated that the Telangana government is implementing prestigious sports programs and urged students and athletes from both rural and urban areas to make full use of these opportunities. He emphasized that the government’s goal is to groom nearly 10,000 talented athletes at Gachibowli Stadium and prepare them to represent Telangana at national and international platforms.

Encouraging the participants, he said athletes must remain focused and dedicated to their goals. Sharing a personal note, he remarked that if he were among them as a sportsperson, he would strive to represent the country. He also appealed to coaches and trainers from various regions to actively motivate youth to participate in sports competitions. Later, he distributed medals, awards, and certificates to the winners.

Sports officials and sportspersons hold the torch during the CM Cup inauguration at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday 

Speaking on the occasion, Shivasena Reddy, chairman of the Sports Authority of Telangana, said that while urban athletes often have access to facilities, rural athletes lack adequate infrastructure. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy initiated the CM’s Cup to bridge this gap and provide equal opportunities to rural sportspersons and students he stated.

He described the tournament as a golden opportunity for grassroots athletes to rise from village, mandal, and district levels to national and international stages. Questioning why India, despite its population of 140 crore, has fewer Olympic medals compared to smaller countries like China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, he urged Telangana athletes to bring laurels to the nation.

https://www.youtube.com/live/p1bD0v7jgPo?si=LYf0LSgNW0B6__9P

He assured that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy fully supports sportspersons and reiterated that the Sports Authority’s mission is to provide special training and world-class facilities to produce champions for the country.

Dr A Sonibala Devi, managing director of the Sports Authority of Telangana, stated that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed officials to actively encourage and support athletes in reaching national and international platforms.

Athletes and spectators enjoy the proceedings during the CM Cup inauguration at the Gachibowli Stadium on Friday

She informed that 380 competitions were conducted across sub-junior, junior, and senior categories with the support of officials and stakeholders. In the first edition, 1,634 participants competed, and in 2026, students from 1,256 Gram Panchayats are being provided opportunities.

As per the Chief Minister’s direction, 98% participation is targeted from rural mandal-level areas and 87% from urban levels. She added that in 2025, competitions were held in twin cities and across 10 districts.

Funds have been allocated for transportation, food, and accommodation facilities for athletes under the CM’s Cup program. She further stated that the Sports Authority of Telangana is currently extending support and assistance to over 350 young athletes across the state.

The event was attended by Malla Reddy, Mari Lakshma Reddy, noted shooter Srikanth, athlete Isha Singh, Soundarya, Arjuna Awardee Anoop Yama, sports department officials, athletes, coaches, karate masters, Congress leaders, and others.