Former SATS chairman alleges political interference in Telangana sports

Hyderabad: Former Sports Authority of Telangana (SATS) chairman A. Venkateshwar Reddy has alleged that the criticism of SATS by State Government Sports Board member, Arjuna Awardee and former international volleyball player Ravikanth Reddy reflects the sorry state of sports administration in Telangana.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Venkateshwar Reddy expressed concern over the losses suffered by sportspersons due to the negligence and inefficiency of the Sports Department.

He said that, at a time when the Khelo India Youth Games were approaching, athletes were being adversely affected by political interference in SATS and factional disputes within the Telangana Olympic Association (TOA).

Venkateshwar Reddy demanded that Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari and senior SATS officials respond immediately to Ravikanth Reddy’s allegations that certain corrupt officials in SATS had become subservient to influential political leaders, were functioning arbitrarily and were treating the organisation as their personal fiefdom.

He also demanded that the Sports Department release a white paper detailing the expenditure incurred by SATS on various events over the past two years.

The former SATS chairman further alleged that senior officials in the Sports Department were prioritising personal interests and financial gains over the development of sports infrastructure and the welfare of athletes.

Questioning the delay in implementing the Indian Olympic Association’s (IOA) directions, Venkateshwar Reddy alleged that the elections to the Telangana Olympic Association had not been conducted properly. He asked why the letters sent by the IOA regarding the recognition of genuine sports associations and the preparation of a valid voters’ list had been ignored by the Sports Department and SATS.