Tamil Nada Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has declared that a number of measures that will be taken in support of promoting and aiding the sports facilities in her part of the region. She said that this is being done keeping the Olympics as well as other sporting events around the globe in mind and that she wanted India’s athletes win as many medals as possible.

Center of Excellence in Sports to be opened in Chennai

For starters, a Center of Excellence in sports will be opening in Chennai. This center would be for children aged 10-14 and in training them with complete facilities, equipments, trainers and everything else that may be needed to groom the young children in this field. She wants to make sure India has blooming athletes who, after being trained from the institute, will represent the country at both national and international levels.

There will be a special scheme that will be followed and five sports men and women will get trained under the scheme. In terms of figures, the government will be spending Rs. 1.25 crore per annum for scientific training, nutrition and food, world-class equipment. These all will aid in producing the best sportsmen and women who will confidently promote India on an international basis.

Jayalalithaa said that there will be 25 promising boys and 25 girls who will be privileged to train in the center of excellence. They will be provided with all the sportswear, education in the best schools, training under qualified coaches, above all the guidance and training. The government will also provide them with a modern gymnasium, chances for them to compete in International Sporting Events as well as encourage rigorous training methods.

It would cost the government 1 crore to build the center. This however is only the one-time expenditure. The recurring expenditure would amount to 70.90 lakhs annually.

The performance of the athletes will also be highly encouraged. The prize money for the Tamil Nadu sportspersons who win medals in the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and South Asian Games will be a substantial amount.

In detail, the prize money to be rewarded for a gold medalist in the Asian Games was increased from 20 to 50 lakhs, 30 from 15 lakhs and 15 from 10 lakhs for silver and bronze respectively. One lakh will be awarded for a winner in the South Asian Games with 3 lakhs and 2 lakhs for silver and bronze.

The number of students in sports hostels is to be increased and more such hostels are to be opened making sure that all the districts have one. Each hostel will hold 60 boys and girls.

This is great news for athletes in Tamil Nadu and it would equally good to see them excel at something else besides academics.

Tags: Chennai, Chief Minister, Indian Sports, J Jayalalithaa, Olympics, Sports, Sports India, Tamil Nada, Tamil Nadu