VIJAYAWADA: The second All India Police South Zone T20 Cricket Tournament began on Friday at the Andhra Pradesh Special Police sixth Battalion grounds in Mangalagiri.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and Director General of Police (DGP) Harish Kumar Gupta inaugurated the tournament. Participating teams held a march-past and received the ceremonial salute from the dignitaries. Teams from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, ITBP and Border units are competing in the tournament.
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha said the tournament aims to foster sportsmanship and unity among police personnel.
She said police officers act as first responders during disasters and remain on duty round the clock, and such sporting events provide mental relaxation and rejuvenation. She said Amaravati represents the people’s capital and that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is making dedicated efforts towards its development. She said organisers are live telecasting the tournament in 160 countries.
“Amaravati’s pride would continue to grow in the coming years under the Chief Minister’s visionary leadership and systematic planning. Participation is more important than victory in sports,” she said.
“The tournament would further enhance the pride of the police force and strengthen inter-state relations,” she added.
The DGP said the event reflects the discipline, unity and spirit of police forces and is not merely a sports competition. He recalled that Amaravati had hosted the All India Police Weightlifting Cluster 2025-26 successfully and said the city is emerging as a hub for sporting excellence.
“Sports cultivate camaraderie, perseverance and team spirit, qualities essential in police service. The tournament reinforces the values of unity and integrity even while discharging duty,” he said.
On the first day, organisers conducted two T20 matches at Mulapadu ACA Cricket Grounds. The Andaman and Nicobar team defeated Chhattisgarh, and Karnataka defeated the Indo-Tibet Border Police team.