Visakhapatnam, Aug 29 – Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh announced the government’s initiative to create a comprehensive 10-year roadmap for sports development in the state. During a meeting with the Indian women’s cricket team, Lokesh revealed plans to increase the sports quota to three percent, aimed at improving education and employment opportunities for athletes.

In a press release from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Lokesh emphasized the government’s commitment to sports development under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who previously oversaw the successful hosting of the Afro-Asian Games and the establishment of an international-standard sports village in united Andhra Pradesh.

Lokesh highlighted the importance of changing parental attitudes to better support girls aspiring to pursue sports and praised the achievements of women cricketers. He commended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for its efforts in ensuring gender parity in player payments, stating, “The initiative to provide equal match fees and pay parity for women cricketers is truly commendable. This is a key step towards removing gender disparities in sports. But this is just the beginning; grassroots facilities and wider encouragement are essential to fulfill the sporting dreams of young girls.”