The Telangana government has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Anil Kumble, former Indian cricketer and founder of TENVIC, to develop a structured framework that combines academics, sports science, and talent discovery.
The MoU was executed in the company of Anil Kumble, Telangana’s Hon’ble Sports Minister, Vakiti Srihari; Shri Shivasena Reddy, SATG Chairman; Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture, and Sports, Telangana; Sonibala Devi, Vice Chairperson and MD, SATG; and other senior officials.
On the development, Sports Minister Shri Vakiti Srihari said, “This collaboration will help identify and nurture sporting talent while ensuring students balance academics with sports and sports science. It is a step towards making Telangana a hub for future Olympic champions.”
The project will scout young talent from 238 social welfare schools and is intended to reach 150,000 students in the first phase of five Olympic sports: wrestling, Kabaddi, volleyball, athletics, and weightlifting. Selected athletes will train at three Centres of Excellence around the state, in addition to receiving academic support. The curriculum will also aim to provide Physical Education instructors with updated training and sports science methodologies.
Anil Kumble said, “Talent alone is not enough – creating opportunities is more important. Through this initiative, we aim to provide a platform for young athletes in Telangana, upskill coaches, and create a focal point that will help make Telangana one of the leading states promoting sports in India.”
In the second phase, five new Olympic sports will be added to broaden the talent pool. Notably, phase 1 will begin right away, and this effort of talent identification and capacity building with sporting giants like as Anil Kumble has the potential to launch a sporting revolution in Telangana.
