Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday said that sports and youth have the power to unite BRICS nations that are diverse in language, culture and geography. He was speaking at the gala dinner organised on the sidelines of the BRICS Youth and Sports Ministers’ meetings underway in Visakhapatnam.
Highlighting the significance of the prestigious meetings being hosted in the city, Naidu proposed the establishment of a ‘BRICS Youth and Sports Innovation Network’ with Visakhapatnam as its hub to take sports partnerships among BRICS countries to the next level.
The Chief Minister specially underlined the growing importance of Visakhapatnam. Describing the “City of Destiny” as a jewel on India’s eastern coast, he said the region, where the Eastern Ghats meet the Bay of Bengal, offers abundant natural beauty and economic opportunities. He recalled that Visakhapatnam has been ranked the country’s ‘Number One City on the Rise’ for two consecutive years in employment and talent categories and is among the safest cities for women. Emerging as a strategic maritime gateway and a technology-innovation hub, the city symbolises the spirit of a new India, he added.
Naidu expressed concern over rising stress levels among youth due to technology-driven lifestyles and suggested that sports, yoga and meditation can play a vital role in overcoming these challenges. Sports, he said, are not merely competitions but a reflection of culture, traditions and the way of life of people. A strong society and a productive nation can be built only with healthy citizens. Besides providing employment to athletes, coaches and event managers, sports also boost the local economy through sports tourism, he noted.
Outlining Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious plans for sports development, the Chief Minister said the ‘Apex 2036’ programme aims to identify talent from the grassroots level and provide scientific training for the 2036 Olympics and other international competitions. Under the initiative, 56 residential sports schools will be established across 28 districts and linked with state-level academies. The government also plans to develop a ‘Sports City’ in Amaravati, a sports equipment manufacturing hub in Nellore, and transform Visakhapatnam into an international water sports centre.
Naidu invited BRICS nations to partner in these mega plans, especially in sports equipment manufacturing, training and sports tourism. “Let us work together to create future champions,” he appealed.
BRICS Nations United by Sports and Youth: Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
