The excitement was palpable at Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium where hundreds of children gathered to participate in a sports camp being organised by Greater Visakha Municipal Corporation on Monday. The sound of the band grew louder as some of the students took part in the march-past held at the inaugural session. It was followed by cultural programmes which added to the festive fervour.

Focussing on a slew of sports such as archery, badminton, basketball, beach football, boxing, hockey, judo, kho-kho, wrestling, rifle shooting, table tennis and swimming, among several other events, the camp that concludes on June 5 gives an opportunity for municipal school students to pick up their favourite sports and get trained by the professional coaches in 38 events at any of the 48 venues spread over six zones along with Anakapalle and Bheemunipatnam.

HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao lighted torch to mark the the inauguration of the camp. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said efforts were being made to develop the city as a sports hub. "Physical fitness and sports will be made compulsory in schools and government is also contemplating giving weightage of marks for excellence in sports," the Minister said.

GVMC Commissioner M. Hari Narayanan said the participation was getting multiplied with each passing year.