Sport - National Games   

Stadium, aquatics complex opened

By V.V. Subrahmanyam

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, having a look at the indoor stadium at Gachibowli in Hyderabad along with badminton star Gopi Chand. — Photo: M. Moorthy

HYDERABAD DEC. 11. The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N.Chandrababu Naidu, formally inaugurated "two engineering marvels'' — the aquatics complex and the air-conditioned indoor stadium — in the Swarnandhra Pradesh sports complex (it was named only this evening), the main venue of the National Games which will commence from December 13.

Mr.Naidu first opened the Grand Entrance at the main venue and later walked across to the majestic swimming complex, which is widely believed to be the best in the country. The Chief Minister declared open the magnificent indoor stadium with computerised lighting. So fascinated was Mr.Naidu by the spectacular sight, that he continued to play a `friendly' game for some more time with 2001 All England badminton champion, Pullela Gopi Chand. "Well, I may not know how to play the game, but I could not resist the temptation to keep playing. Such is the quality and precision with which Nagarjuna Constructions Company executed the job,'' he said.

Mr.Jeffrey Gabbour, vice-president of the Prestige Inc, specially flew down from United States for the occasion. "I personally congratulate Mr.Naidu and can confidently say that the City is ready to host Asian Games,'' he said.

Responding to the cheers from the players who assembled at the venue, Mr.Naidu reminded that he had provided them with the worldclass infrastructure and the onus was on them to enhance the State's reputation in the National Games and then in international events. In a moving gesture, the Chief Minister felicitated Mr.S.S.Sharma, joint general manager of NCC, and his other engineering staff for their "wonderful job''. Mr.A.V.S.Raju, chairman of the NCC, also graced the occasion alongwith some State Ministers.

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