AMARAVATI: A statue of India's first-ever Test captain Col
CK Nayudu
was unveiled by former skipper
Anil Kumble at Machilipatnam town on Tuesday.
"I am privileged to unveil Col Nayudu's statue in his hometown. Nayudu was a great cricketer who laid strong foundations for the development of the game in India," Kumble said on the occasion.
The ace leg-spinner also laid the foundation for the construction of the Masula Sports Complex and Athletics Stadium, being built on a 13-acre site at a cost of Rs 15 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, Kumble hailed the state government's initiatives aimed at developing sports infrastructure and nurturing talent.
"Chief Minister
Chandrababu Naidu
has taken steps to ensure that every child in Andhra Pradesh has access to sport, gets trained, gets nurtured so that they all become future Olympians of our country. I am only hopeful that some day, someone from this crowd will go on to bring laurels for India in Indian sport," he said.
"Hopefully, in a years time we will see the stadium buzzing with activities and all the children will be playing there," Kumble said.
State Youth Affairs and Sports Minister
Kollu Ravindra
and Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh Chairman
Ankamma Chowdary
were also present.