SAAP Board Approves Key Measures to Boost Sports Development in Andhra Pradesh
The 87th Board Meeting of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) was held on February 23, 2026, under the chairmanship of SAAP Chairman Ravi Naidu. The board approved several key proposals aimed at strengthening sports development, athlete welfare, and sports infrastructure across the state.
As part of efforts to enhance sports promotion, newly established sports academies in the state have been named after prominent personalities:
The AP Sports Academy in Visakhapatnam has been named the Kodi Ramamurthy Academy.
The academy in Kakinada has been named the Padma Shri Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao Academy.
The Tirupati academy has been named the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Padma Shri awardee Karnam Malleswari Academy.
The academy in Guntur has been named the Acharya Nagarjuna Academy.
Focusing on coach welfare, the board decided to recommend to the government an increase in honorarium to ₹30,000 for coaches holding NIS diplomas. Non-NIS diploma coaches will be recognized as junior coaches with an honorarium of ₹21,500. The board also approved standardizing salaries at ₹21,500 for outsourcing coaches working across various districts since 2018.
Approval was also granted for releasing salaries under the pay-and-play system for 22 contract/contingent staff working in district sports authorities since 2018. Additionally, the board cleared recruitment of four young postgraduates to support sports development initiatives.
To prepare athletes selected for the 2026 Asian and Commonwealth Games, the board approved providing advanced training, coaching, and necessary support. It also sanctioned the voluntary utilization of physiotherapists from physiotherapy colleges across district sports authorities to support athletes.
Chairman Ravi Naidu stated that these decisions would significantly strengthen sports development in Andhra Pradesh and create better opportunities for athletes.
The meeting was attended by SAAP Vice Chairman and Managing Director S. Bharani (IFS), board members Ramana Rao, Rajani, Jagadeshwari, Peram Ravindra, PBN Bucchi Raju, Santosh, Bommineni Shiva, and SAAP AO Ramavat Venkata Ramana Naik
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