GUNTUR: IT and Panchayat Raj Minister N Lokesh inaugurated the All India Senior Badminton Tournament-2017 and a new indoor stadium in the city on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, the IT Minister said the government accorded top priority to sports in the State. It is spending Rs 150 crore per annum to promote sports and for development of sports infrastructure in the State. Emphasis has been laid on badminton to encourage budding talent, he said.
The All India Senior Ranking Tournament will continue up to October 6. Guntur Club president V Purnachandra Rao and secretary Ch Ramesh are overseeing the conduct of badminton tournament in which players from 21 States are participating.
MLAs M Venugopala Reddy, GV Anjaneyulu and A Rajendra Prasad, Badminton Association president R Ranga Babu and others were present.