Hyderabad Toofans will have their task cut out in the Hockey India League 2025-26. Not only will the team have to focus on the game on the field but will also have to think about promoting Telangana’s tourism and culture, if one goes by the words of Telangana Tourism and Culture minister Jupally Krishna Rao.
During a progamme held at a hotel in Hyderabad on Sunday, Krishna Rao said there was a close relationship between sports and regional promotion. Hence, he said hockey team will promote Telangana’s tourism and culture during the upcoming Hockey India League.
The minister said the team is officially sponsored by Telangana Tourism, making it a strong platform to showcase the state’s heritage at the national level. He noted that professional sports franchises act as important economic drivers, strengthening the hospitality and transport sectors while enhancing Telangana’s visibility across the country.
“Our vision, under the leadership of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, is to build a robust sports ecosystem through the Telangana Sports Policy 2025. The state government is actively working towards establishing a dedicated sports university to ensure our athletes are podium-ready for the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games,” Krishna Rao said.
‘Hyderabad Toofans should inspire youth to stay away from drugs etc’
Addressing the players, Krishna Rao underlined the social responsibility of sportspersons, urging them to inspire the youth to stay away from drugs, online gaming, and betting, and instead adopt discipline, focus, and healthy living through sports.
Quoting a popular cinema dialogue, he said, “Team banane ke liye taakat nahi… niyat chahiye,” and added that it is this commitment to serve the state that will define the success of the Hyderabad Toofans.
Stating that hockey is an integral part of India’s culture, Patel Ramesh Reddy, chairman of the Telangana Tourism Development Corporation (TGTDC), said the Hyderabad Toofans hockey team should bring greater recognition to Telangana at the national level.
He said that chief minister A. Revanth Reddy is giving special focus to sports development, with particular emphasis on encouraging talent from rural areas. He added that the government is taking all necessary steps to establish a sports university to nurture young athletes and prepare them for higher levels of competition.
The programme was attended by Jayesh Ranjan, special chief secretary; Sai Prakash, CEO, Hyderabad Toofans; Bheem Singh, secretary, Telangana Hockey Association; Olympian Devender Walmiki; Emily Calderon, assistant coach; Sumith Walmiki, captain, Hyderabad Toofans; and players Arshdeep Singh, Aman Deep Lakra, and Rajinder Singh, among others.
