SRIKAKULAM: Olympic weightlifting medallist Karanam Malleswari sought an opportunity to set up a sports academy here. She met collector P.Lakshmi Nrushimham and MLA Gunda Lakshmidevi in the collectorate here Saturday and made a proposal towards that end. The academy will cater to various sports, said Malleswari. International coaches would be roped in to train Indian sportsmen so that sports talent could be tapped, she announced.
Training in weightlifting, boxing and athletics would be imparted in the academy. Malleswari requested the collector to allot required plot of land for the academy.
Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh and the Central government would allocate part of funds to set up the academy and the remaining can be secured through sponsorship, the Olympic medallist said. There is also a proposal to open a web site on the academy. There is a lot of latent sports talent in the district which can be tapped through training in the academy, said the Olympian. “I’m elated to set up the academy in Srikakulam as I’m a native of Amudalavalasa,” said Malleswari.
In response, the collector said the sports academy could function in affiliation to the proposed Sports University in Vijayawada. “During the Sankranthi Sambaralu, I witnessed a lot of latent sports talent. Then I felt that there is a need for a sports academy,” said Lakshmi Nrusimham.
There are many hidden Kodi Ramamurthys in the district who should be brought to the mainstream, felt the collector. 30 acre land is available at Patrunivalasa which could be conducive to set up the proposed sports academy, said Lakshmi Nrusimham and added that services of boxers like MC Mary Kom should be utilised in the academy. Since there are many talented girls, they should be trained by qualified physical trainers from the school level, opined the collector reacting to Malleswari who said that there was a dearth of proper training. He also announced that mini-stadiums would be set up in Sitampeta and 10 other mandals and there is a plan for a cricket stadium at Ampolu village.
Meanwhile, Lakshmi Nrusimham, joint collector-2 P.Rajanikanta Rao and Karanam Malleswari inspected the 30-acre site at Patrunivalasa and expressed satisfaction.Joint collector Vivek Yadav, district revenue officer BHS Venkata Rao, district sports officer B.Srinivasa Kumar, TT coach M.Madhurilatha and others were present.