Hyderabad: Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand on Wednesday inaugurated the 5th Telangana State Police Sports Meet-2026 at the Saroornagar Indoor Stadium, unveiling a new five-cluster competition format aimed at increasing participation and identifying sporting talent from across the state’s police force.
Organised as part of the Telangana Police’s welfare initiatives, the annual sports meet seeks to promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and sporting excellence among police personnel while preparing talented athletes to represent Telangana at national and international police sporting events.
Five-Cluster Model Introduced After 35 Years
Addressing the gathering, DGP C.V. Anand announced that Telangana Police had adopted a decentralised five-cluster model, replacing the traditional single-venue format that had been followed for nearly 35 years.
The new structure comprises 21 teams drawn from commissionerates, district police units, and specialised wings across the state. According to the DGP, the decentralised approach will ensure wider participation by making competitions more accessible to personnel from different regions.
He said the model has been designed on the lines of the All India Police Games, enabling the department to systematically identify talented athletes and provide them with scientific coaching and structured preparation for higher-level competitions.
Sports Essential for Effective Policing: DGP
Highlighting the importance of sports in police service, C.V. Anand stressed that physical fitness and mental well-being are fundamental to building an efficient and resilient police force.
Sharing a personal note, he remarked, “I may stop policing one day, but I will never stop playing sports,” adding that playing golf helps him remain mentally refreshed despite the pressures of a demanding professional life.
The DGP urged police personnel to view sports not merely as competitions but as an integral part of their overall health and professional effectiveness.
Telangana Aims for Better Performance at All India Police Games
Recalling Telangana Police’s achievements at the previous edition of the All India Police Games, Anand said the force had secured 21 medals and expressed confidence that the state’s medal tally would improve in future editions.
He also highlighted the incentives available for outstanding performers, including:
- ₹3 lakh for gold medal winners
- ₹2 lakh for silver medal winners
- ₹1 lakh for bronze medal winners
In addition to cash rewards, medal winners are also eligible for special increments, encouraging police personnel to pursue excellence in sports.
Call for Scientific Training and Talent Identification
The DGP called upon senior police officers to actively identify promising sportspersons within their respective units and nurture their abilities through structured training programmes.
He emphasised the importance of providing athletes with modern support systems, including:
- Scientific coaching
- Proper nutrition
- Physiotherapy
- Fitness management
- Regular training schedules
According to him, these measures will help Telangana Police build a strong pipeline of athletes capable of excelling in national and international competitions.
Competitions Scheduled Across Multiple Venues
Under the newly introduced five-cluster format, competitions will be conducted at different venues throughout the year.
Indoor events including boxing, wrestling, fencing, and several other disciplines commenced on Wednesday at Saroornagar Indoor Stadium.
The schedule for the remaining competitions includes:
- Cricket at Future City in November
- Lawn Tennis and Badminton at the Telangana Police Academy in September
- Volleyball, Kabaddi, Canoeing, Kayaking, and Cycling at designated venues later this year
The decentralised format is expected to improve logistical convenience while ensuring broader participation from police personnel across Telangana.
Naveen Polishetty Encourages Sportsmanship
Popular film actor Naveen Polishetty, who attended the inauguration as the chief guest, highlighted the role of sports in developing both physical and mental resilience.
Addressing the participants, he encouraged police personnel to embrace the true spirit of sportsmanship, saying that participation and continuous improvement are more important than winning or losing.
Senior Police Officers Attend Opening Ceremony
Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B. Sumathi welcomed participants and said discipline, teamwork, and sporting spirit are qualities that naturally complement police service.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed participation from hundreds of police personnel representing commissionerates, district police units, and specialised wings from across Telangana.
The event was also attended by Hyderabad Police Commissioner V.C. Sajjanar, senior police officers, students, sports enthusiasts, and other dignitaries, marking the beginning of one of the state’s largest annual sporting events for police personnel.
Promoting Fitness Through Sports
The Telangana State Police Sports Meet continues to serve as an important platform for encouraging physical fitness, teamwork, discipline, and competitive spirit among police personnel. With the introduction of the five-cluster format, the Telangana Police hopes to expand participation, discover new sporting talent, and enhance the state’s performance in national police sporting competitions.
