CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin on Saturday flagged off the specially designed Khelo India Youth Games Canter caravan at the Marina Beach Light House to spread the message and spirit of the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 Tamil Nadu.
A newsletter in collaboration with the Mass Communication Department of DG Vaishnava College, celebrating One year of Sporting excellence under Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDATN) was released by Udhayanidhi Stalin.
This is the first time that Khelo India Youth Games are being held in South India and will be played across four cities – Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore – from January 19-31.
Over 5,500 athletes under the age of 18, from 36 states and Union Territories, will be vying for top honours in 26 sporting disciplines.
On Monday, five specially designed Canters with the ceremonial torch (Thamizh) started from Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore and will visit all 38 districts of the state before reaching the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium ahead of the opening ceremony.
SDATN will also be holding various activities including mini marathons, bike rallies and drawing competitions at prominent locations and schools in these districts to create greater awareness around the Games.
All district sport offices will also conduct logo/mascot drawing competitions, essay writing competitions on how Tamil Nadu is India’s sporting powerhouse and speech competitions before the Canter arrives. The Canter will then visit prominent locations in the district and engagement activities like mini games, sports quiz and souvenir distribution will be undertaken in each district.
More than 1,500 students from the state will get an opportunity to be part of the Khelo India Youth Games as volunteers. The Khelo India Youth Games will be telecasted live on national television, showcasing the spirit and culture of Tamil Nadu.
Mayor of Greater Chennai Corporation R. Priya, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Dr Atulya Misra, IAS, Members of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran, Dr. Kalanidhi Veerasamy, Members of Legislative Assembly Tha Velu, Joseph Samuel, J.J. Ebenezer, Deputy Mayor of Greater Chennai Corporation M. Magesh Kumar, Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu J. Meghnatha Reddy, IAS, basketball player Jeevanandham, fencer Maria Akshita and other sportspersons were also present during the event.
On the occasion, Udayanidhi Stalin said: “It gives me great pleasure to flag off the promotional vehicle for the first ever Khelo India Youth Games to be held in Tamil Nadu.
“After the formation of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, the sports department has seen a new dawn. Like all other industries, the sports industry has also progressed and have numerous achievements to show. Our model of governance is a guide for the Indian Union in the field of sports as well and now we are going to host the 6th Khelo India Youth Games from January 19- 31, 2024.
“In the past, we successfully conducted the 44th Chess Olympiad and our efforts were appreciated across the world. Similarly, we are making all arrangements to successfully conduct the Khelo India Games as per the instructions of the Hon’ble Chief Minister. We are constantly conducting various programs to take this national level competition across Tamil Nadu and the whole country.”
Stalin further added: “Due to the steps taken by the government for sports development, many recognitions are also coming our way.
“Recently Tamil Nadu was conferred the Best State promoting sports award by the Confederation of Indian Industries. The Chennai Open Chess Series was held last month and it once again underlined that Chennai means Chess and chess means Chennai. We also conducted various competitions including CM Trophy Sports Tournament, Asian Champions Trophy, Squash World Cup, World Surfing League, HCL Cyclothon and Junior Hockey.
“The government has also been instrumental in helping Tamil Nadu sportsmen and women in succeed in these competitions. The Chief Minister started the Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation so that finances should not be a barrier for sportspersons. Through this foundation, we provided financial assistance of Rs. 4 crores to sportspersons.
“Also, 48 players from Tamil Nadu have bagged 28 medals in the 19th Asian Games in China. These medallists have been given a higher incentive of Rs.9.40 crores. An incentive of Rs 5 crore has been distributed among sportsmen and women who have achieved success at the national and international level in Boxing, Fencing and Roller Skating.
“The Tamil Nadu team which won gold in the National Senior Women’s Football Tournament was given an incentive of Rs. 60 lakh.
“R Praggnanandhaa, who won the silver medal in the World Cup Chess Tournament, was awarded Rs 30 lakh. Incentives are also being given to differently abled sportspersons who are performing at the national and international stage.
“An MoU has been signed with Odisha state for their players to train in Tamil Nadu and Tamil Nadu players to train in Odisha. Also, an agreement has been signed with Jwala Gutta Academy to train badminton players. As part of the agreement, 28 players are undergoing training in Hyderabad.
“The state government has also appointed 76 coaches after a gap of 12 years while the likes of Vaishali, Harinder pal Singh, Ramesh and Kavita Selvaraj from Tamil Nadu have received the highest sporting awards given by the Union Government.
“We are now looking forward to setting similar standards during the conduct of the Khelo India Games.”
The Nehru Stadium in Chennai has been renovated at a cost of Rs 10 crore for these Games.
