Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Lokesh Seeks Cricket and Gujarat Support for Andhra Development
N. Lokesh wants Andhra Pradesh to become a major place for sports and business.
He met Jay Shah, who leads the International Cricket Council, to ask for help.
Lokesh suggested that Visakhapatnam could host some Olympic water sports in the future.
He also described plans to find young athletes through local cricket leagues.
A women’s cricket programme called the Women’s Andhra Premier League has already started.
Lokesh asked for help building indoor cricket academies in smaller cities and towns.
He also met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to discuss ports and trade.
Together, they discussed sharing ideas about industry, finance and coastal development.
N. Lokesh asked ICC chairman Jay Shah to support Andhra Pradesh’s plan to become a national sports hub.
He proposed Visakhapatnam as a possible co-host for Olympic water sports and sought support for women’s cricket tournaments and camps.
Lokesh highlighted state programmes including the Assembly Premier League, Mangalagiri Premier League and ‘She Plays’ initiative.
He requested BCCI technical and financial assistance to establish indoor cricket academies across Andhra Pradesh.
Lokesh also discussed a coastal trade corridor, port cooperation and industrial development with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
- Who
- N. Lokesh, ICC chairman Jay Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.
- What
- Lokesh sought sports support for Andhra Pradesh and discussed port, trade and industrial cooperation with Gujarat.
- When
- The meetings took place on Thursday night and Friday; specific dates were not provided.
- Where
- Lokesh met Jay Shah in Ahmedabad and Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Why
- He wants to develop Andhra Pradesh as a sports hub, strengthen youth participation and expand maritime, industrial and financial cooperation.
- Sports hub proposal
- Lokesh asked for support to develop Andhra Pradesh into a national sports hub.
- Potential Olympic venue
- Visakhapatnam was proposed as a co-hosting destination for water sports, including sailing, rowing and beach volleyball.
- Local cricket leagues
- The proposed Assembly Premier League would cover all 175 Assembly constituencies, while the Mangalagiri Premier League recently included 128 teams.
- Women’s cricket
- The Women’s Andhra Premier League was launched in Mangalagiri with Mithali Raj as brand ambassador.
- Infrastructure request
- Lokesh sought BCCI technical guidance and financial support for indoor cricket academies in Andhra Pradesh.
- Port cooperation
- He proposed a Coast-to-Coast logistics and trade corridor between Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat.
- Industrial development
- Lokesh discussed applying lessons from Gujarat’s GIFT City and Financial District to projects in Visakhapatnam and Amaravati.