Hyderabad: Telangana Youth and Sports Week began across the state on Sunday with fitness drives, sports activities and awareness programmes under the Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika initiative.
Ministers Vakiti Srihari, Ponnam Prabhakar and AP Jithender Reddy attended the inaugural programmes held in Hyderabad. Sports Authority Chairman Shivasena Reddy, Mal Reddy Ram Reddy and Sports Authority Managing Director Sony Bala Devi also participated in the launch events.
Officials organised a Zumba session at the LB Stadium Tennis Complex as part of the opening day celebrations. Ministers and senior officials joined participants during the fitness programme and encouraged young people to adopt healthier lifestyles through regular exercise and sports activities.
The organisers later flagged off a five-kilometre walkathon to create awareness on physical fitness, sports participation and community health. Students, sports enthusiasts and local residents joined the event in large numbers.
Officials said the government planned several activities across Telangana during the week-long celebrations. Different districts will host sports competitions, youth interaction sessions, awareness campaigns and cultural activities until May 23.
Telangana Youth and Sports Week promotes youth participation
The Telangana government said the initiative aimed to increase youth participation in sports and strengthen awareness about physical and mental well-being. Officials added that the programme also reflected the government’s focus on improving sports infrastructure and encouraging talent development across the state.
The organisers said schools, colleges and local sports bodies would conduct competitions in athletics, indoor games and team sports during the celebrations. Awareness sessions on fitness, nutrition and healthy living will also take place in several districts.
Officials said the events were designed to encourage community participation and inspire young people to include fitness activities in their daily routine. They added that the programme would help build a stronger sporting culture across Telangana.
As part of the Praja Palana Pragathi Pranalika, the Government of Telangana has launched Youth and Sports Week celebrations across the state from May 18 to May 23 with the objective of promoting fitness, sports culture, and youth participation.
Ministers @Vakiti_srihari ,… pic.twitter.com/WfgoeDVgzE
— IPRDepartment (@IPRTelangana) May 18, 2026
