Telangana actively promoting sports, says Soni Bala Devi at Youth India Sports Summit

For the last two years, the Telangana sports department has been actively promoting sports by establishing institutions, increasing the number of academies and organising competitions from the grassroots level to identify rural talent, said Dr Soni Bala Devi, VC & MC, Sports Authority of Telangana (SATG) at the Young India Sports Summit 2026 which was organized by the Young India Physical Education & Sports University at Gachibowli Stadium on Thursday.

The summit featured discussions on national sports policies, education, research, technology, and employment opportunities in the sports sector.

Distinguished guests at the summit included Padma Shri awardee Pullela Gopichand, Dronacharya awardees Ismail Baig and Nagapuri Ramesh, Arjuna awardee J J Shobha, Olympian Neha Agarwal, Dr K Narsiah along with representatives from various sports associations, physical education teachers, sports professionals, and athletes.

Jayesh Ranjan, special chief secretary, Telangana, inaugurated the summit. He stated that it is encouraging to see sports experts, policymakers, and intellectuals come together for this first initiative of the university.

Ranjan emphasized that the university aims to provide high-quality education and training in sports, enhance youth athletic talent, and help build a strong and sustainable sports ecosystem in the state. He also noted that Telangana has excellent potential for sports development and that the university will act as a guiding force in this journey.

AP Jitender Reddy, sports advisor to the state government and chief guest at the event, expressed hope that the Young India Sports University would gain national and global recognition and continue to organize more such sporting initiatives.

SATG chairman Shiv Sena Reddy said that the university was established as part of chief minister Revanth Reddy’s vision for sports development. He added that the university has initiated meaningful discussions and programs that can shape the future of young athletes.

Dr Kishore Gopinathan, vice chancellor of the Sports University, stated that the university aims to offer comprehensive courses by integrating global best practices in sports education, research, technology, and employment.

The summit hosted discussions on five key themes:

Telangana Sports Policy, Governance & Olympic Vision which was led by Prasad Mangipudi.

Sports Education, Career Opportunities & Market Demand which was coordinated by Srishti Jain (CEO, Collearn).

Olympic Values & Physical Literacy which was presented by Amit Malik (Abhinav Bindra Foundation Trust).

Sports Science & Medicine (Education & Opportunities) which was presented by Naresh Kumar Pagidimarry (CSSH).

Sports Leagues, Technology & E-Sports was led by Karthik Yanamandra (360D Sports).

Para Sports & Education was led by Dr Sripadmini Chennapragada (Adapted Sports India Foundation).

The closing ceremony was attended by former state sports advisor Dr Chinnappa Reddy and Sports Authority officials including Ravinder and Ashok Kumar.