APOA seeks CM’s appointmentUrges government support to participate in 38th National Games

The Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association (APOA) held a Special General Body meeting in Vijayawada on Wednesday, chaired by its president, RK Purushotham. The meeting focused on preparations for the 38th National Games, scheduled to be held in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, from January 28 to February 14 next year. The APOA requested Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s support in facilitating the participation of the Andhra Pradesh team in the event.
Additionally, the association sought an appointment with the Chief Minister to discuss and clarify matters related to the functioning and management of sports associations within the state. Later, the special general body meeting unanimously elected the APOA vice-president Badeti Venkatramaiah as the Chef de-Mission for the Andhra Pradesh team in the upcoming National Games.
APOA president RK Purushotham said that as many as 220 members’ contingents including coaches, managers and technical officials would participate in the National Games. The participation teams will be finalised either at the end of December or the first week of January, he said. However, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) did not conduct even a single meeting with APOA and State Sports Associations regarding participation in the National Games, he felt.
“We tried at my level best to meet the SAAP officials, however, some of the officials are preventing us from meeting with the SAAP Chairman Animini Ravi Naidu and Vice Chairman and Managing Director PS Girisha. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) chaired by PT Usha recognised the APOA, however, the SAAP did not conduct any meeting with us,” he expressed his unhappiness.
Additionally, he urged the CM to direct the SAAP to ensure that the government provides support for the teams participating in the National Games next year. If the government does not support the APOA, the AP teams will participate in the National Games without the AP government logo, he added.
APOA CEO Govindu Raju, vice-president Nadella Brahmaji Rao, joint secretary Subba Rao, treasurer Srinivas, women representative Padmaja Bala and others were present.
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