By integrating sports with education, we will produce international-level athletes, stated Minister Vakiti Srihari in the Legislative Council.
Hyderabad, Trinet News, September 12: State Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries, Youth Services, and Sports, Vakiti Srihari, stated that the government is taking steps to establish the Young India Physical Education and Sports University (YIPESU) with the objective of integrating sports with education in Telangana and grooming athletes to international standards. The minister was responding to questions raised by members Balmuri Venkata Narsinga Rao, Mahesh Kumar, and Sripal Reddy in the Legislative Council.
The minister explained that the main objective of YIPESU is to identify hidden sporting talent among youth, provide them with scientific training and top-tier coaching, and bring departments such as sports science, sports medicine, physical education, and research onto a single platform. He stated that partnerships are being formed with prominent domestic and international sports educational institutions to develop the university according to international standards. As part of this, he revealed that steps have been initiated for cooperation with the Korea National Sport University.
Sports Science and Employment Opportunities
The minister stated that courses at YIPESU will be designed not only to provide training on the field but also to impart modern sports science, technology, and research-based training. The government's goal is to develop high-performance centers and modern training methodologies to prepare Telangana athletes for international competitions such as the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
Unearthing Sports Talent from Rural Areas
Minister Vakiti Srihari stated that the people's government's goal is to ensure that sporting talent is not confined to urban areas, but that talented athletes emerge from every village in Telangana. He explained plans to develop sports grounds in rural areas, modernize existing grounds, provide sports equipment, identify talent from the school level, and conduct talent search programs at the mandal and district levels. He also mentioned that local coaches and physical education teachers will be trained, while encouraging sports such as athletics, hockey, football, volleyball, kabaddi, and kho-kho.
He noted that the CM Cup has already been conducted in five phases from the village level to the state level. In 2024, 290,000 registrations were recorded across 36 sports disciplines with an expenditure of 12 crores. In 2025, 542,000 registrations took place across 46 sports disciplines with 38.50 crores. He stated that rural sports competitions will be organized, and talented athletes will be linked with district and state-level academies. The minister revealed that special incentive programs will be undertaken to encourage greater participation of girls and youth in sports.
Encouragement for Athletes
With the aim of encouraging athletes, 16.60 crores have been disbursed to 145 athletes, and government jobs have been provided to 304 athletes through the sports quota, he stated. The minister specified that DSP-level jobs have been given to Mohammed Siraj and Nikhat Zareen.
The minister emphasized that the government is strengthening the sports sector with the objective of establishing a sports ground in every village, enhancing sporting talent in every youth, and thereby transforming Telangana into a sports powerhouse in the country. Minister Vakiti Srihari stated that the primary intent of the people's government through YIPESU is to integrate sports, education, employment, and research to provide more opportunities to the youth of Telangana at the national and international levels.
He stated that the Congress government has allocated 1,535 crores to the sports sector in just three budgets, and the Congress government's sports budget for this single year is higher than the total amount allocated by the BRS government in 10 years. He noted that the sports budget has increased fourfold compared to past allocations.
Two new turfs have been set up for the new hockey stadium in Gachibowli, he said. Gachibowli Stadium is being modernized with international standards through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) at a cost of 700 crores. The minister stated that the number of sports academies has increased from 6 to 19, with 13 new academies established between 2024 and 2026. This includes two elite FIFA football academies, with the women's FIFA academy being the first of its kind in the country, the minister specified.
While sports schools already exist in Hakimpet, Karimnagar, and Adilabad, a new sports school has been launched in Hanumakonda, he stated. For the first time in Hyderabad, the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026 Qualifiers were successfully hosted, the minister noted, adding that the top three teams from the Hyderabad venue qualified for the World Cup.
The minister announced that the 8th Khelo India Youth Games 2026 will be grandly organized by the Government of Telangana from December 11 to 22 at an estimated cost of 272 crores. On behalf of the state government, the minister extended special thanks to the central government for granting permission to host the Khelo India Games in Telangana state.
Minister Vakiti Srihari affirmed that the Hockey India League, World Pickleball League, Archery Premier League, and Tennis Premier League will be organized in Telangana this year.
