Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy announced to transform Tirupati into a sports hub and make it a jewel in the crown of Rayalaseema region. He was speaking after inaugurating the statue of hockey legend and former Indian captain Dhyan Chand at the Srinivasa Sports Complex, here on Wednesday. He also launched the modernisation projects undertaken by Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) at the complex on the occasion. He recalled the recent inauguration of the modern indoor stadium at Sri Padmavati Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam (SPMVV) campus in Tirupati. “The state-of-the-art facilities available at this indoor stadium will not be found anywhere else in south India,” he said, adding that the Srinivasa Sports Complex was being modernised with CSR funds for the benefit of poor sportspersons. The government will respect and provide employment opportunities to sportspersons. This is why we introduced three per cent quota in jobs to players. The government is also providing incentives to players attending the Olympics and Asian Games, besides bearing their cost of travel and training. Collector S. Venkateswar announced that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had directed the district administration to develop modern sports infrastructure in Tirupati. “Once put to use, the sports complex will be available to players of all age. A gymnasium, ball badminton, synthetic tennis court, skating, swimming pool, water plant, multipurpose sports arena and a first ever indoor rifle shooting complex, coming up under the joint aegis of the State government and SAAP,” he said. Meanwhile, MLA Arani Srinivasulu announced to develop a sports city in 38 acres at Daminedu. SAAP Chairperson A. Ravi Naidu announced to complete the under-construction cricket stadium at Gollavanigunta and bring it to the use of sports enthusiasts. Yadava Corporation chairman G. Narasimha Yadav, former Union Minister and TTD board member Panabaka Lakshmi, SPMVV Vice-Chancellor V. Uma and former MLA M. Sugunamma were present.