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New Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Sports can be a growth engine for tourism: CM Chandrababu Naidu
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu emphasised that sports can serve as a powerful engine for tourism and commercial development, and the State government is prioritising the sector through its new Sports Policy. On the second day of his Singapore visit on Monday, the Chief Minister, accompanied by renowned badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, ministers and senior officials, visited the Singapore Sports School. Naidu emphasised that sports schools should evolve into centres that also drive entertainment, tourism and economic activity. He reiterated Andhra Pradesh's commitment to nurturing international-level athletes and outlined the State's incentive programmes for sportspersons. The Chief Minister noted that the sports quota in government jobs has been increased from 2% to 3%, and financial rewards for athletes have been significantly enhanced. Olympic gold medalists are awarded `7 crore, silver medalists `5 crore and bronze medalists `3 crore. Medal winners at the Olympics and Asian Games are also eligible for prestigious Group-1 government jobs. Naidu announced that a dedicated Sports City is being developed in Amaravati, with integrated sports complexes planned for Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and Amaravati. Inspired by the Singapore Sports School, the State plans to establish similar institutions in Kadapa, Vijayawada and Vizianagaram. Principal Ong Kim Soon shared that Singapore aims to become a global centre for sports excellence, with the Singapore Sports School playing a pivotal role. The school operates under a High-Performance Sports System, with world-class training infrastructure. Students are admitted from the age of 12 and offered academic flexibility alongside specialised sports training. He said students showing genuine interest in sports are integrated into a structured pathway, developed in collaboration with national sports associations and academies.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Andhra CM meets Singapore Minister Leng to boost ties in green energy
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday met with Singapore Minister Tan See Leng to boost ties in green energy, data centres, housing and logistics development. Naidu also sought support from Singapore firms for green hydrogen projects, transmission corridors, and port infrastructure, highlighting Andhra Pradesh's initiatives and inviting investments in these sectors. "Naidu and Leng discussed enhanced collaboration in sectors such as green energy, data centres, logistics, and housing," an official release said. The CM said Singapore's expertise in logistics and port management can help Andhra Pradesh adopt global best practices, stressing collaboration in manpower, science and trade. The chief minister is in Singapore for a five-day visit. On his second day tour, Naidu assured the Singapore minister that issues faced earlier by the southern east Asian City state firms under the previous YSRCP government are being addressed with transparency and pro-investment policies. The TDP supremo invited Minister Leng to attend Visakhapatnam Global Investors Summit scheduled in November to explore joint ventures and deepen cooperation between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh. Leng responded positively, expressing readiness to collaborate in housing and subsea cable development, and noted Singapore's ongoing partnership with the World Bank in green projects. Naidu later visited Singapore's Tuas Port and studied automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in maritime operations and explored its construction and infrastructure. "With Andhra Pradesh's vast coastline, our priority is building modern ports and enabling port-led industrialisation," said Naidu. He met Vincent, Regional CEO of PSA (Port of Singapore Authority) and discussed project cost, AI-based automation, and Tuas Port's phased execution plan. Naidu emphasised that the southern state's vision is to build a port every 50 km interval and integrate AI in construction, cargo handling and logistics infrastructure. The CM studied Singapore's real-time cargo tracking, green port concepts and ecosystem of auxiliary industries around port zones for replication in Andhra Pradesh, the release said. Talks also covered possible collaborations, technology transfer and joint ventures to elevate Andhra's port standards to global benchmarks with Singapore's support. Naidu later visited the Singapore Sports School , highlighting sports as a key driver of economic growth and tourism. The CM, accompanied by badminton coach Pullela Gopichand and state officials, said Andhra's new 'Sports Policy' focuses on creating world-class athletes and boosting infrastructure investments. In discussions with Singapore Sports School Principal Ong Kim Soon, Naidu emphasised that sports schools should evolve into centres that also support entertainment, tourism and economic activity. "Sports can become a catalyst for commercial growth, and we aim to build global talent," he said. He also noted that Andhra Pradesh has raised the sports quota in government jobs from two to three per cent and increased the award for Olympic gold medalists to Rs 7 crore, silver medalists Rs 5 crore and bronze medalists Rs 3 crore. Naidu also announced a dedicated Sports City in Amaravati and integrated complexes in Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and Amaravati for holistic sports development. Inspired by Singapore's model, sports schools are being planned in Kadapa, Vijayawada and Vizianagaram to support high-performance training and early talent identification. Principal Ong said that Singapore aims to be a global sports hub and train students under an elite high-performance Sports System from the age of 12. He said the curriculum merges academics with rigorous training and partners with national associations to guide student-athletes into professional sporting careers. PTI
News18
2 days ago
- Business
- News18
Andhra CM meets Singapore Minister Leng to boost ties in green energy
Amaravati, Jul 28 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday met with Singapore Minister Tan See Leng to boost ties in green energy, data centres, housing and logistics development. Naidu also sought support from Singapore firms for green hydrogen projects, transmission corridors, and port infrastructure, highlighting Andhra Pradesh's initiatives and inviting investments in these sectors. 'Naidu and Leng discussed enhanced collaboration in sectors such as green energy, data centres, logistics, and housing," an official release said. The CM said Singapore's expertise in logistics and port management can help Andhra Pradesh adopt global best practices, stressing collaboration in manpower, science and trade. The chief minister is in Singapore for a five-day visit. On his second day tour, Naidu assured the Singapore minister that issues faced earlier by the southern east Asian City state firms under the previous YSRCP government are being addressed with transparency and pro-investment policies. The TDP supremo invited Minister Leng to attend Visakhapatnam Global Investors Summit scheduled in November to explore joint ventures and deepen cooperation between Singapore and Andhra Pradesh. Leng responded positively, expressing readiness to collaborate in housing and subsea cable development, and noted Singapore's ongoing partnership with the World Bank in green projects. 'With Andhra Pradesh's vast coastline, our priority is building modern ports and enabling port-led industrialisation," said Naidu. He met Vincent, Regional CEO of PSA (Port of Singapore Authority) and discussed project cost, AI-based automation, and Tuas Port's phased execution plan. Naidu emphasised that the southern state's vision is to build a port every 50 km interval and integrate AI in construction, cargo handling and logistics infrastructure. The CM studied Singapore's real-time cargo tracking, green port concepts and ecosystem of auxiliary industries around port zones for replication in Andhra Pradesh, the release said. Talks also covered possible collaborations, technology transfer and joint ventures to elevate Andhra's port standards to global benchmarks with Singapore's support. Naidu later visited the Singapore Sports School, highlighting sports as a key driver of economic growth and tourism. The CM, accompanied by badminton coach Pullela Gopichand and state officials, said Andhra's new 'Sports Policy' focuses on creating world-class athletes and boosting infrastructure investments. In discussions with Singapore Sports School Principal Ong Kim Soon, Naidu emphasised that sports schools should evolve into centres that also support entertainment, tourism and economic activity. 'Sports can become a catalyst for commercial growth, and we aim to build global talent," he said. He also noted that Andhra Pradesh has raised the sports quota in government jobs from two to three per cent and increased the award for Olympic gold medalists to Rs 7 crore, silver medalists Rs 5 crore and bronze medalists Rs 3 crore. Naidu also announced a dedicated Sports City in Amaravati and integrated complexes in Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and Amaravati for holistic sports development. Inspired by Singapore's model, sports schools are being planned in Kadapa, Vijayawada and Vizianagaram to support high-performance training and early talent identification. Principal Ong said that Singapore aims to be a global sports hub and train students under an elite high-performance Sports System from the age of 12. He said the curriculum merges academics with rigorous training and partners with national associations to guide student-athletes into professional sporting careers. PTI MS STH KH view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 20:15 IST News agency-feeds Andhra CM meets Singapore Minister Leng to boost ties in green energy Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Naidu visits Singapore Sports School, announces bold push for sports-driven development in Andhra Pradesh
Sports can serve as a powerful catalyst for tourism and commercial growth, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said during his visit to the Singapore Sports School on the second day of his official tour of the City State on Monday (July 28). Accompanied by badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, ministers and senior officials, the Chief Minister toured the facility and had a discussion with school principal Ong Kim Soon. Highlighting Andhra Pradesh's commitment to fostering world-class athletes, Mr. Naidu stated that the State has rolled out a comprehensive Sports Policy aimed at developing both talent and infrastructure while attracting investments. 'Sports schools should serve not only as hubs for training elite athletes but also as centers for entertainment, tourism, and economic activity,' he observed during his interaction with the school's leadership. The Chief Minister shared that Andhra Pradesh is investing heavily in sports incentives. 'We have increased the sports quota in government jobs from 2% to 3%, and we now offer significant cash rewards for medal winners,' he said. Athletes securing Olympic gold medals are awarded ₹7 crore, silver medalists ₹5 crore and bronze medalists ₹3 crore. Additionally, medal winners at the Olympics and Asian Games are eligible for Group-1 officer posts. To enhance the State's sporting ecosystem, Mr. Naidu revealed plans to develop a Sports City in Amaravati and establishment of Integrated Sports Complexes in Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, and Amaravati. He also announced the proposed setup of dedicated sports schools modeled after the Singapore Sports School in Kadapa, Vijayawada, and Vizianagaram. During the visit, Mr. Ong Kim Soon explained Singapore's approach to cultivating sports excellence. 'We admit students into the Singapore Sports School at age 12 and train them under a high-performance sports system with elite standards and structured partnerships with national sports associations and academies,' he noted. The visit underscored the Andhra Pradesh government's determination to position the State as a national leader in sports development, leveraging global best practices and institutional collaborations.
Straits Times
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Singapore's Ritchie Oh makes comeback in open water swimming at World Aquatics Championships
Find out what's new on ST website and app. After coming out of retirement, Singapore open water swimmer Ritchie Oh is eyeing podium finishes at the 2027 and 2029 SEA Games. SINGAPORE – When Ritchie Oh retired from competitive swimming in 2023, the idea of racing at a home world championships two years later was certainly not on his radar. After competing at the 2019 SEA Games, Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and two world championships, he felt he had reached the end of his journey in the sport. Once driven by his goals of qualifying for major competitions, he began to feel stagnant, constantly measuring himself against others and training became a chore. Oh said: 'I stopped caring about what major meets I could qualify for, which had been my biggest drive before – to keep improving and making the next bigger competition. 'I dreaded going for training and did not have a goal anymore.' Now, the 22-year-old is among eight open water swimmers representing the Republic at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. Oh said he had enjoyed the freedom in the first few months after his retirement, occasionally entering local meets to catch up with friends. But by late 2024, something was missing. He said: 'I pushed myself in the gym but after a few months I realised it wasn't enough for me. 'I thought I was missing out on something but I didn't know it was swimming because I thought I had firmly made a decision to stop and I had no passion for it anymore.' After speaking to his parents and girlfriend Claire Tan, a national artistic swimmer, he realised that he missed swimming and began considering a comeback. Though there was uncertainty, the thought of competing alongside Tan at major events again was hard to ignore, and he still enjoyed the adrenaline of racing. Ritchie Oh (left) with his girlfriend Claire Tan, a national artistic swimmer, at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. PHOTO: COURTESY OF RITCHIE OH About 10 months ago, Oh began training with coaches Roderick Eng and Jerome Teo at the Singapore Sports School. Careful to avoid the long-distance training that has once worn him down, he initially focused on distances of 200m and below, aiming for a spot on the 4x200m freestyle relay team at the 2026 Asian Games. But he soon turned to the 1,500m freestyle after realising his time away had made it difficult to hit the required benchmarks. At the Singapore National Age Group Swimming Championships in March, he finished a creditable fourth in the event. Coincidentally, Singapore Aquatics also sent out the selection criteria for open water swimming for the SEA Games and world championships during that period, and he decided to give it a go with. At the trials in April, he finished second in the 10km race to earn his spot at the world championships. He said: 'Every single day I came to the pool, regardless of how I felt, how bad the times were, I just kept pushing myself. 'Every day when you have a goal in mind, your discipline kicks in, your motivation gets sparked and I became hungry again.' With open water swimming set to feature at the next three SEA Games, he has set his sights on reaching the podium at the 2027 and 2029 editions. Juggling national service with training has been a challenge in his comeback journey. While most open water swimmers clock 70km to 80km a week, Oh averages just 25km to 30km. On days he is on shift, he wakes at 4am to train by 5am, before reporting to base at 7.15am, often finishing at about 11pm. He is grateful to his coaches for turning up an hour earlier on those mornings to help him squeeze in 5km to 6km before his duties. Ahead of the world championships, which will also serve as a qualifier for December's SEA Games, he said: 'I want to do my best, I want to show my coaches and myself that all the hard work that I've put in is worth it.' Chantal Liew, Singapore's first open water swimmer to compete at the Olympics, will also be taking part in the world championships. PHOTO: SPORT SINGAPORE Also itching to compete at the championships is Chantal Liew, who contemplated retirement after narrowly missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing at home feels like a full circle for her, having made her national team debut in pool swimming a decade ago at the SEA Games in Singapore. While Liew, Singapore's first Olympic open water swimmer, is not sure how much longer she will compete for, she wants to do her best and enjoy the championships, where she will take part in the 10km, 3km knockout, and 4x1,500m relay. She said: 'I had half a mind after the last worlds to retire, but I was convinced by my coach to stay on for this one because he said racing at your home worlds isn't something everyone can do and it's special. 'In a way, I hope to redeem myself from Doha (qualifying event for Olympics). But more than that, I know I'm at the tail end of my career and I did read the other day what Naomi Osaka posted about enjoying whatever time I have left in the sport so that's what I'm going to be doing – I'm going to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy racing in front of family and friends.'
