Modern sports infrastructure was confined to Hyderabad in the unified State and the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh had no good multipurpose sports stadium, except the port stadium here, honorary life president of the A. P. Table Tennis Association P. Chenchu Ramaiah said on Friday.
The new State government must concentrate on providing modern infrastructure for sportspersons, he said at a press conference organised on the eve of the State-ranking table tennis tournament commencing Saturday.
MLC and working president of the Visakhapatnam District Table Tennis Association M.V.S. Sarma urged the authorities to provide space for players for their daily practice.
The tables at the DSA indoor stadium were removed on the orders of a former Collector and a room at Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium, in which only one TT table can be placed, was not adequate. Mr. Sarma wanted the Municipal Commissioner to provide a big room for TT.
Chief referee of the tournament V.R. Mukkkamala said that 368 entries had been received and 598 matches would be conducted during the next two days.
“Visakhapatnam is hosting a State-level tournament after a gap of six years,” VDTTA secretary D.V.N.Y. Sharma said.
Competitions will be conducted in 10 events. Prize money is Rs.66,000. Eight tables are in place at the port stadium.
Among those participating in the tournament are international player K. Spoorthi and national players — Shailunoor Basha, R. Kajole, Mahita, and Nazirab.
APTTA president V. Bhaskar Ram is observer from the State unit.
The tournament will be inaugurated by Municipal Commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana.
