In a country where cricket is religion, there is a need to focus on other sports too so that a large number of up-and-coming sportspersons could bring laurels in Olympics and other events, Speaker Nadendla Manohar has said.

Formally launching the redesigned Sportstar at Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium here on Wednesday along with Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, he said: “Before the advent of televisions, the inspiring stories of great sporting personalities did help me and many others. Even today I look forward to the arrival of every new issue of Sportstar.” Mr. Manohar appreciated the new design of the magazine, which, he said, was contemporary.

Parents should not focus only on academics of their children and force them to pursue careers in engineering and medicine. Children should be encouraged to pursue sports too from a tender age. He appreciated the support being given to international TT player Karanam Spoorthy and archer Jyothi Surekha, who were on the dais. Addressing the large number of office-bearers of several sports associations and parents, Mr. Manohar asked them not to depend only on government funds. He wanted philanthropists to fund infrastructure needs locally. In addition to cricket, kabaddi, kho-kho and other indigenous sports should be encouraged, he felt. In the primary education sector, the investment in India was very meagre and the country stood 45 in the world according to a recent survey, he observed.

He promised to fulfil the government’s promise to support the Volga Archery Academy in Vijayawada to fulfil former coach Lenin’s dreams.

Mr. Rajagopal, a TT player himself, was reminded of his match with Spoorthy. Stating that he appreciated the quality of Sportstar, the MP said he never knew it was from The Hindu group. He lauded the quality posters that the magazine publishes, which inspire many youth.

He requested ACA secretary Gokaraju Gangaraju to spend some money in promoting other sports too, though something was being done now. The MP was appreciative of the efforts of archery coach Satyanarayana for his efforts.

The two young sportspersons thanked their coaches and the government for supporting them in their respective games and promised to bring laurels to Vijayawada and the country.

Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association secretary Punniah Chowdhary, Krishna District Olympic Association secretary K.P. Rao, Andhra Pradesh TT Association secretary S.M. Sultan, and the ACA secretary spoke on the occasion.

District Sports Development Officer P. Ramakrishna said there were many talented players in many disciplines in Vijayawada, which had emerged as a sporting hub.

Sportstar can focus on the local talent to give them encouragement, he opined.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / July 26th, 2012