Tamil Nadu Sports Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Aadhav Arjuna on Tuesday stressed the urgent need for a robust sports policy in the state, linking India's poor Olympic performance to a lack of clear vision. He announced plans to establish 10 Olympic academies across Tamil Nadu as part of a grassroots development program targeting children aged 8 to 18.
Addressing Drug Abuse Through Sports
Arjuna highlighted the growing issues of drug and alcohol abuse among the youth, emphasizing that sports can serve as a powerful tool for social reform. "In the last hundred years, we have not won an Olympic medal. We do not have a clear vision for sports, which is why our youth are getting stuck with drugs and alcohol," he told reporters. He called on the Chief Minister and the new government to prioritize sports development alongside police-led cleanup efforts, stating that reform must begin at the school level.
Grassroots Development Plan
The minister outlined a structured approach to sports development focused on the age group of 8 to 18 years. "We are going to create a new structure for sports, particularly a sports policy focused on the age group of 8 to 18 years. We aim to win Olympic medals. We are planning grassroots-level development. We will start planning and set up 10 Olympic academies across Tamil Nadu," Arjuna said.
This initiative aligns with the minister's broader vision to produce Olympic medal winners from the state by investing in early talent identification and training infrastructure.
Union Minister's Olympic Day Message
On the same day, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya extended greetings on International Olympic Day, underscoring the core Olympic values of excellence, friendship, and respect. In a post on X, Mandaviya highlighted India's growing sporting culture under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
"Happy Olympic Day to everyone! Today, we celebrate the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect that inspire millions across the globe. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi, India is witnessing an unprecedented sporting revolution, empowering our athletes and encouraging every citizen to embrace sports as a way of life," Mandaviya wrote.
The announcement from Tamil Nadu comes amid a national push to enhance sports infrastructure and achieve better results in international competitions, particularly the Olympics.
