CHENNAI: Resuming the Chennai ATP tennis tournament, arranging Beach Olympics and establishing a sports city are among the announcements made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday by Chief Minister MK Stalin for the development of sports in the southern state.
Another announcement made by the chief minister was for 3% reservation in employment for silambam (a martial art) champions.
If all all of these plans make the transition from intent to reality, then Tamil Nadu could potentially rival Odisha as the one of the country’s principal sporting hubs.
Stalin also announced that an arena exclusively for ‘jallikattu’ (bull-taming) events would be built at Alanganallur, Madurai.
“An Olympic Gold Quest will be implemented for Rs 25 crore (Rs 250 million) to guide sportspersons from Tamil Nadu to win medals in international sports competitions like the Olympics,” PTI quotes the Chief Minister as having told the Assembly.
Making a statement on his own, Stalin said a modern boxing complex would be established in north Chennai for Rs 10 crore with facilities for volleyball, badminton, basketball, kabaddi, indoor games and a gym.
Apart from providing the 3% reservation in employment for silambam champions, the state government would take steps to resume the Chennai Open ATP tennis tournament and organise Beach Olympics, he said.
“Further, the government is taking steps to establish Olympic Academies in four zones to create an opportunity for sportspersons to win medals in international competitions,” Stalin said, amid thumping of benches.
The Tamil Nadu government is planning to create facilities for sports throughout the State and accordingly it has been planned to establish mini-stadia in all Assembly constituencies, he said. “This will immensely benefit the youth,” he added.
