The District Level Competitions-cum-Selections for the Amaravati Championship-2026 were conducted on Friday at the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) Integrated Sports Complex, Kommadi, ahead of National Sports Day on August 29, which marks the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
SAAP organised the selections across the State in 12 disciplines – archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, basketball, chess, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, weightlifting, volleyball and yoga – for Under-17 and Under-23 boys and girls.
Selected athletes from the Visakhapatnam district will represent the district at the State-level Amaravati Championship, slated for August 24-26 in Tirupati. A total prize money of ₹91.90 lakh has been earmarked for winners across categories at the State-level event.
Addressing the gathering, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, MLA from Bheemili constituency, said participation, not victory, was the true measure of success.
“All of you have participated, and that itself means that you have achieved 50% success,” he said, adding that competitive sport instilled sportsmanship and taught young athletes to accept both wins and losses with equanimity.
He said sport build the confidence to face unexpected setbacks in life and urged those who lost to introspect rather than lose heart. “Everyone who participated here is a winner,” the MLA said.
Mr. Rao said the government proposed establishing an Integrated Sports Complex along the lines of the one in Gachibowli, Hyderabad, and referred to a sports policy introduced to widen participation and support athletes financially.
Inaugural bout
Following the MLA’s inaugural address, the first bout of the day, in the Under-23 women’s 48-51 kg boxing category, saw K. Sri Varshitha win her opening contest and advance in the selections. The local athlete said she hoped to take her sport further. “If I get the opportunity, I want to compete at the international level and in the Olympics,” she said.
Published – August 14, 2026 07:48 pm IST
