Hyderabad: Labour and Mining Minister G. Vivek Venkatswamy said participation mattered more than victory and defeat in any cricket tournament, calling sports a vital platform for discipline and teamwork.
Speaking at the prize distribution ceremony in Kotapalli mandal of Chennur district, the minister said cricket enjoyed wide popularity across India. He said talent existed in every region, from villages to cities. Moreover, he said sports helped build team spirit, discipline, and leadership skills.
Recalling earlier initiatives, Venkatswamy said the State had hosted cricket tournaments in memory of his father, late Kaka Venkatswamy. He added that, as president of the Hyderabad Cricket Association, he worked to identify young talent. During that period, he said sponsorship support helped many players progress.
The minister presented the first prize to the Kotapalli team, which won the tournament. He also awarded the second prize to the Gorlapalli team, which finished as runners-up. Organisers held the tournament in memory of Puranam Ramakrishnaiah.
Cricket tournament showcases Kotapalli talent
Venkatswamy congratulated former MLC Puranam Satish for organising the tournament successfully. He said the event reflected strong community participation. Notably, he added that two players from the Kotapalli region had already represented the State at the Under-19 level.
Further, the minister assured support for sports infrastructure in the region. He said he would take up the issue of forest clearance needed to build a proper cricket stadium in Kotapalli. Therefore, he said he would coordinate with Forest and Revenue officials to move the process forward.
Former MLC Puranam Satish, District Congress Committee president Raghunath Reddy, local leaders, players, and sports enthusiasts attended the programme.
