BJP Slams Hike in Sports Coaching Fees

BJP Telangana Sports Cell convenor and former HCA executive committee member Chitti Sridhar has criticised the Telangana government’s decision to increase coaching fees at government sports facilities. He said the move could affect athletes from poor and middle-class families and urged the government to immediately withdraw the fee hike, keeping the future of sportspersons in mind.

Sridhar said the Centre had allotted the prestigious Khelo India Youth Games to Hyderabad despite the Congress government being in power in Telangana, setting aside requests from BJP-ruled states. He noted that the Centre was prepared to spend around Rs. 70 crore on conducting the games, while the state government was increasing coaching fees and stadium rental charges. He urged the Sports Department and Sports Authority to focus on improving coaching standards, infrastructure and the availability of coaches, instead of increasing the financial burden on athletes.