State made rapid strides in sports infrastructure development since 2021, says Udhayanidhi Stalin

Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Friday said Tamil Nadu had seen significant improvement in sports infrastructure since the DMK government assumed office in 2021.

He was giving away sports kits to beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Sports Equipment Programme being implemented in urban local bodies in 10 districts.

Mr. Udhayanidhi said that the State had been marching ahead in identifying talented sports persons at their tender age. Many of them had taken part in the national and international sports meets and won laurels for the State. Chief Minister’s Trophies sports meet, being held in all districts every year, had helped the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) to identify new talent.

Similarly, Mr. Udhayanidhi said sports infrastructure had seen a significant growth during the DMK rule. A total of 141 mini stadiums were built since 2021. As against the allocation of ₹380 crore during the 10-year rule of two successive AIADMK governments, ₹600 was allocated for the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare since 2021.

He said the Kalaignar Sports Kit scheme was launched in 2024 to cover all village panchayats. The scheme had now been expanded to cover 25 municipal corporations, 145 municipalities, and 479 town panchayats in the State. It would benefit the sports enthusiasts from urban local bodies, Mr. Udhayanidhi said and added that the State government had given employment to 100 persons under the sports quota last year. A total of 150 persons would be given the appointment orders shortly.

Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru and Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi were present.

Event in Thanjavur

Shortly after the inauguration of the scheme for 10 districts in Tiruchi, Collector Priyanka Pankajam started distributing sports kit to various beneficiaries at a function held in Thanjavur.

She said that sports kits worth ₹2.92 crore would be distributed to 732 groups.