CHENNAI: The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) has confirmed that the state government will provide funds for the conduct of an ATP tour event in the city.
All well and good of course but the when of it appears overly optimistic, whichever way you slice and dice it. “We will provide funds to host the ATP Chennai Open in 2023,” the SDAT Twitter handle posted.
The Chennai Open moved out of the city after the 2017 edition to Pune, which has retained the license to hold the IMG-owned event since then. With there being no window in the 2023 calendar, how the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) will find a slot to host the ATP 250 tournament remains to be seen. In fact, as New Indian Express points out, the ATP have already more or less firmed up the 2024 calender as well.
While the return of the ATP event to Chennai is easier said than done, at least in 2023, SDAT have confirmed that the city will host international hockey again after a gap of more than 15 years. The men’s Asian Champions Trophy, an event that’s been held six times since 2011, will be hosted at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium sometime in the second half of 2023. “Funds will be provided for the international hockey tournament set to take place in Chennai,” another tweet declared.
The TN government have also announced funding to the tune of Rs 1.5 cr for the upcoming Squash World Cup which will be hosted in the city. The government also announced that a water sports academy will be set up in Ramanathapuram district, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the state. While on the subject of academies, a ‘world-class’ trap and skeet shooting range will also be set up in the near future.
SDAT announcements
Funds to be provided for ATP Chennai Open
Asian-level hockey event in the city in 2023
Rs 1.5 cr for Squash World Cup
Water sports academy in Ramanathapuram district
Trap and shooting range
