Visakhapatnam: IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh stressed the need for a conducive environment and robust ecosystem to help girls excel in sports after attending the groundbreaking ceremony of the PV Sindhu Sports Academy, Centre for Sports Excellence, in Visakhapatnam. Lokesh said the State government is working with athletes to craft a comprehensive sports policy and build a world-class ecosystem that nurtures future champions. He described badminton icon PV Sindhu as one of India’s greatest and noted that the academy would groom thousands of talented athletes. The multi-disciplinary centre will offer facilities for badminton, swimming, gymnastics, shooting, weightlifting, basketball and football, helping establish Visakhapatnam as a leading sports hub. Sindhu expressed confidence that the campus would be inaugurated in May 2028 as one of India’s finest integrated sports and education facilities.