Nara Lokesh meets Jay Shah; discusses plans to develop Andhra Pradesh as sports hub

According to Lokesh, the discussions covered a range of initiatives, including positioning Visakhapatnam as a destination for water sports, hosting domestic and women’s cricket tournaments, nurturing grassroots sporting talent and establishing indoor cricket academies across Andhra Pradesh.

Lokesh also shared plans to take competitive cricket to all 175 Assembly constituencies in the state, with a particular focus on creating greater opportunities for young sporting talent, including girls.

The discussions come as Andhra Pradesh is expanding its sporting infrastructure and platforms for emerging athletes. The Andhra Cricket Association’s 2026 Andhra Premier League, for instance, is being conducted across venues in Visakhapatnam, Kadapa and Mangalagiri, while the first Women’s Andhra Premier League was launched this month to provide a pathway for women cricketers.

Lokesh has also recently directed officials to examine the development of a world-class sports ecosystem at an Andhra Pradesh Residential School in Bhupathipalem, with the proposed facility envisioned as an education and sports hub.

Beyond cricket, the state's Visakhapatnam district already promotes water-based activities including boating, water fleets and water sports at locations such as Rushikonda and Mangamaripeta.

Lokesh described the meeting with Jay Shah as a positive interaction and also thanked him for the traditional Gujarati meal and hospitality.