CM Revanth Reddy meets PT Usha, discusses Hyderabad sports university
Synopsis
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met IOA President and Rajya Sabha MP PT Usha on 9 July 2026, discussing national sports development and the state's plan to set up the Young India Physical Education and Sports University in Hyderabad.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy held a meeting with IOA President PT Usha on 9 July 2026 to discuss sports development.
The two discussed the proposed Young India Physical Education and Sports University to be established in Hyderabad .
PT Usha has served as Indian Olympic Association President since 2022 and is also a Rajya Sabha MP .
The proposed university follows the model of the National Sports University Act of 2018 , which established India's first central sports university in Manipur .
Enabling legislation for the university in the Telangana Assembly and possible funding under Khelo India are the key developments to watch.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy met Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President and Rajya Sabha MP PT Usha on Thursday, 9 July 2026, for discussions on sports development in the country and the state government's plans to establish a dedicated sports university in Hyderabad.
Context
Posting on X, CM Revanth Reddy described the meeting as a 'courteous call' (మర్యాదపూర్వకంగా కలిశారు) with the IOA chief. The two discussed 'the development of the sports sector in the country, the establishment of the Young India Physical Education and Sports University in Hyderabad, and the steps being taken by the state government for sports development,' according to the Chief Minister's post.
PT Usha, a legendary Indian sprinter who won multiple medals at the Asian Games during her career, was elected President of the Indian Olympic Association in 2022 — the same year she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Her dual role as the country's top Olympic administrator and a sitting parliamentarian makes her a pivotal figure for any state seeking central support for sports infrastructure.
Policy Backdrop
The proposed Young India Physical Education and Sports University in Hyderabad is positioned as a flagship initiative of the Telangana government to professionalise sports coaching and physical education in the state. The concept follows a broader national policy trend: the National Sports University Act of 2018 established India's first central sports university in Manipur, providing a legislative template that other states can adapt.
At the central level, the Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, has been the primary vehicle for grassroots sports development and infrastructure funding. Telangana's engagement with the IOA president is widely seen as part of a strategy to align the proposed university with central schemes and secure broader institutional backing.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries of the proposed university would be young athletes and sports students across Telangana, who currently lack a dedicated academic institution for sports science, coaching education, and physical education training within the state. A formal sports university could offer structured pathways from grassroots participation to elite competition.
The meeting with PT Usha signals the Telangana government's intent to position the university within the national Olympic ecosystem. IOA's endorsement or collaboration could open doors to central funding, international coaching expertise, and recognition from global sports federations — factors critical to the institution's long-term viability.
What's Next
The immediate next step will be the introduction of enabling legislation for the Young India Physical Education and Sports University in the Telangana Legislative Assembly. Funding announcements — whether through the state budget or central schemes such as Khelo India — will be closely watched by the sports community. The outcome of CM Revanth Reddy's outreach to the IOA could shape the university's governance structure and its integration with national sports policy.
Point of View
Telangana is seeking to embed its proposed sports university within the national Olympic framework rather than building it as a standalone state project. This mirrors a broader pattern of state governments using sports infrastructure as a lever for political visibility and youth outreach. The timing, ahead of any formal legislative move, suggests the Telangana government is building top-level consensus before committing to the legislative and financial architecture. Whether this courteous meeting translates into concrete central support or funding will be the real test of the initiative's ambition.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did CM Revanth Reddy and PT Usha discuss?
They discussed the development of sports in India, the establishment of the Young India Physical Education and Sports University in Hyderabad, and the steps the Telangana state government is taking to promote the sports sector.
What is the Young India Physical Education and Sports University?
It is a proposed university in Hyderabad, planned by the Telangana government, aimed at providing dedicated academic and training infrastructure for physical education and sports in the state.
Is there already a sports university in India?
Yes. The National Sports University in Manipur was established under the National Sports University Act of 2018 and is India's first central sports university. Telangana's proposed university would be a state-level institution.
What is the Khelo India programme?
Khelo India is a central government scheme launched in 2017 to develop grassroots sports and build sports infrastructure across India. It is one of the potential funding channels for state sports initiatives like Telangana's proposed university.
