Chennai, 18 February (H.S.) : The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) is set to host a grand celebration titled Champions of Tamil Nadu at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Wednesday.
The event aims to commemorate five years of significant progress and achievements in the state's sports sector. Chief Minister MK Stalin will preside over the ceremony, joined by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and other high-ranking cabinet ministers.
A major highlight of the event will be the distribution of government appointment orders to more than 175 sportspersons under the three percent sports quota. Notably, this group includes 50 para-athletes, showcasing the administration's focus on inclusivity. Furthermore, the state government has sanctioned a massive incentive package totaling Rs 33.5 crore.
This amount will be awarded to 1,172 athletes who have excelled in various sporting disciplines. During the ceremony, Chief Minister Stalin will also lay the foundation stone for the first phase of the International Sports City project in Chennai, an ambitious initiative estimated to cost Rs 261 crore.
In a related health and sports initiative, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian recently flagged off the Run for Rice - Pazhaya Soru Marathon 2026 at Besant Nagar Beach. This awareness run, which saw participation from over 1,000 doctors and medical students, was organized to promote the nutritional benefits of traditional Tamil food.
These combined efforts reflect the state's broader commitment to fostering a culture of physical fitness, tradition, and professional excellence for athletes across Tamil Nadu.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
