Hyderabad: Telangana Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari emphasized that past failures and lethargy must be set aside and, with renewed enthusiasm, the Department should showcase innovation in its operations. The Minister, speaking at a review meeting here on Saturday, underlined that, as per Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s ideas, the Sports Department’s performance must reach top-notch levels. He stated that the department should work with the aim of winning medals at the 2036 Olympics, and with sincere efforts, achieving this goal will be easier. “To bring about radical change in sports, simply sitting in offices will not work; officials must venture into the field,” the Minister said. “To ensure successful sports programs and to improve the department’s working style,” he pledged to undertake field-level tours — visiting academies including Adilabad and Karimnagar, meeting with students, coaches, and their parents,” he said. Mr Srihari said that they would consult sports experts and specialists in the state for sports development, taking their advice and proceeding accordingly. “Soon, separate meetings will be held with representatives of all sports associations, coaches, and experts to gather their ideas and advance sports development,” he said. “For sports advancement, the Sports Department will coordinate with the School Education Department to identify athletes right from the school level. Talented sportspersons in gurukuls and similar institutions will be identified and encouraged,” the Minister said. Mr Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Youth Development, Tourism & Sports, Sports Authority of Telangana chairman Shiva Sena Reddy, SATG VC & MD Mrs Sony Baladevi, deputy directors of the Sports Authority, officials from the Engineering Department, and other departmental officers attended.