‘Aadudam Andhra’ off to a flying start in NTR, Krishna districts

The first-ever Statewide sports tournament ‘Aadudam Andhra’ began on a grand note in NTR and Krishna districts on Tuesday.
Andhra Pradesh Planning Board Vice-Chairman and Vijayawada Central MLA Malladi Vishnu, along with NTR District Collector Dr S Dilli Rao and Deputy Collector Vennam Jyothi Surekha, who is also an international archer, inaugurated the event at the MBP stadium in Vijayawada.
‘Aadudam Andhra’ sports festival will go on for 47 days across the State. The first stage of the tournament will be conducted at the Sachivalayam level. Respective MLAs, ZPTC, MPPs and sarpanches inaugurated the Sachivalayam-level events enthusiastically.
As part of the tournament, Dilli Rao, Malladi Vishnu, and Jyothi Surekha lit the torch (Kreeda Jyothi) at the Makineni Basavapunnaiah Municipal Corporation Stadium. Later, Dilli Rao, MLA Vishnu, Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner Swapnil Dinakar Pundkar and others played cricket and badminton.
Speaking on the occasion, Malladi Vishnu said that ‘Aadudam Andhra’ was a milestone. “Vijayawada is known for many outstanding sportspersons, particularly in archery, badminton, cricket, kabaddi, volleyball, Chess, and table tennis,” he said.
He said that the State government appointed archer Jyothi Surekha as a Deputy Collector. As a kid, she was a swimmer. Later, she entered the field of archery and excelled in her event by training hard. For the first time, the State government has taken a big step to promote sports and games by conducting the ‘Aadudam Andhra’, he added.
Collector Dilli Rao said that 1.17 lakh athletes were taking part in the sports festival. The State government would, through various academies, provide special coaching facilities for those who prove their talents.
NTR District Sports Development Officer (DSDO) SA Azeez, VMC Additional Commissioner KV Satyavathi, DEO CV Renuka, DYEO KVN Kumar, DM & HO Suhasini, and others were present.
Meanwhile, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation Mayor Rayana Bhagyalakhsmi inaugurated the ‘Aduda Andhra’ event at Bishop Gracy High School at Gundala, and Vijayawada West MLA Malladi Velampalli Srinivas inaugurated the event at KBN College in the city.
Minister for Housing Jogi Ramesh kick-started the event at Zilla Parishad High School at Mallavolu of Guduru mandal in Krishna district. Krishna Collector P Raja Babu, DSDO Jhanisi, ZP CEO Jyothibasu and others participated in the programme.