Udhayanidhi distributes Rs 13.98 cr to 589 TN athletes

In a significant boost to the sports community, Tamil Nadu’s State Sports Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin, distributed cash incentives totaling Rs 13.98 crore to 589 sportspersons who have achieved commendable success in international and national level events. The ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, marking a moment of pride and encouragement for the state’s athletes. The incentives were awarded to individual sportspersons across various disciplines, including Chess players who have won international master and women grandmaster titles, as well as athletes who competed in the All India Inter-University Games and other national level events. Highlighting Tamil Nadu’s contribution to the upcoming Paris Olympics, Udhayanidhi proudly noted that the state is sending the second highest number of athletes (17, including six disabled sportspersons) to the games, following Punjab and Haryana. In support of these athletes, the state sports department, under the directive of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, disbursed Rs 1.19 crore at a rate of Rs 7 lakh each to the 17 Olympians. Udhayanidhi expressed his role as an elder brother to the athletes, encouraging them to derive inspiration from bronze-winning Olympian shooter Manu Bhaker. He praised Bhaker for her perseverance and dedication, which led to her triumph in the 10m individual air pistol shooting event at the Paris Olympics, turning her struggles from the Tokyo Olympics into a glorious victory. The sports minister also cited the inspiring journey of Indian women’s football captain Indumathi, who overcame numerous challenges to lead the national team. He expressed confidence that the athletes present at the event would continue to strive for excellence and bring pride to the state and the country by winning medals in the future. The event saw the presence of prominent figures such as Additional Chief Secretary of the Sports Department Atulya Mishra, Member Secretar