Tamil Nadu CM to unveil Sports City plan for 46 disciplines, says minister

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will soon announce the long-pending Sports City project, which will feature international-standard facilities for 46 sports, Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna informed the Assembly on Monday.

Responding to a query from Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, the minister said work on the project would commence within six months of the Chief Minister's announcement. He clarified that the project had not been shelved but was being restructured to meet its objectives.

Mr. Arjuna stated that the goal of building a Sports City to Olympic standards remains unchanged under the current DMK government. The project will be administered by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), he added.

Mr. Udhayanidhi had raised concerns about the difficulty of acquiring 23 acres of land in Chemmenchery near Chennai for the project. The minister acknowledged that no international-standard stadium has been built in the state since the one constructed in 1994 during the tenure of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

A detailed project report is currently being prepared. The planned facilities will include aquatic sports, archery, skating, BMX, and multi-sport activities.