Players who took part in the Amaravati Championship 2026 take a pledge against drug use at a rally in Tirupati on Friday.
| Photo Credit: K.V. POORNACHANDRA KUMAR
Players who participated in the Amaravati Championship 2026 in Tirupati took a pledge to stay away from drugs and contribute to keeping the State free from the drug menace.The awareness rally titled ‘Drugs Vaddhu Bro’ was led by Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) chairman A. Ravi Naidu, District Collector S. Venkateswar, Superintendent of Police L. Subbarayudu, SAAP managing director S. Bharani, international hockey player E. Rajani and others.The rally was taken out from SVU Tarakarama stadium to NTR Circle in the city on Friday (August 28, 2026), where the participants formed a human chain and shouted slogans such as ‘Drugs Vaddhu Bro’, ‘Drugs Vaddhu – Kreedalu Muddhu’ etc.Mr. Venkateswar said that the four-day event was a huge success, with players from across the State participating in 12 sporting events in the U-17 and U-23 categories.Nearly 15,000 players, physical education trainers, sports trainers and office-bearers of sporting associations took part. 65% of the students who participated in the championship belonged to State-funded schools, 80% of them hailing from rural areas.Mr. Ravi Naidu explained how active participation in sporting events would help keep the youth away from drugs by focussing on discipline, physical, and mental fitness.“Sportspersons play a pivotal role in creating a drug-free Andhra Pradesh. This event is a major step in creating a preventive human barrier,” he added.Mr. Subbarayudu said the prevalence of narcotic substances in a society would lead to moral degradation and a collective erosion in fitness. He called upon the public to dial toll-free number 1972 to lodge complaints on drug abuse.Commemorating ‘National Sports Day’ on Saturday (August 29), a major event has been planned in Tirupati, where Speaker of Legislative Assembly Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu will take part as the chief guest. He will present medals and prizes to the winners of the Amaravati Championship. Published - August 28, 2026 08:12 pm IST
