CHENNAI: Global reckoning awaits the traditional sports of Tamil Nadu as the state government has allocated Rs 42 crore to conduct Tamil Nadu Rural Sports Competition and the initiative will be implemented by the Youth Welfare and Sports Development department.
As per the state budget announcement, the initiative is aimed at taking the traditional Tamil sports to the global stage. Moreover, the government has allocated Rs 2 crore to upgrade the infrastructure of the Tamil Nadu Physical Educationand Sports University.
Recalling a 3-km run 'Start Run, Stop Drugs' conducted by the Sports Development department in which Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay took part, finance minister N. Marie Wilson, said that a vibrant sports culture serves as a powerful shield against social evils including drug usage. "Through the vision of "Sports for All, Sports Everywhere," the campuses of our educational institutions will become safe and completely drug-free havens," he added.
Moreover, the department will set up 10 Olympic Centres of Excellence across the state at a cost of Rs 50 crore to nurture elite sporting talent. An allocation of Rs 5 crore is being made to provide world-class training to select school students aged 8 to 18 who possess a passion and aptitude for sports.
A further allocation of Rs 22 crore will provide financial assistance to 500 athletes excelling in national and international sporting events, the finance minister added.
Students in government and government-aided schools are set to play more as the government will introduce structured sports and physical exercise activities of one hour per day after school hours, with the required sports equipment and facilities.
Neighbourhood Sports Facilities, small gymnasiums and sports complexes will be created in all blocks and urban local bodies to bring sports to the common people, the announcement said.
In the Revised Budget Estimates, Rs 1,051 crore is being allocated for the Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department.
