Context:
• Tamil Nadu has implemented an inclusive, data-driven and social justice–oriented sports governance model, inspired by the Dravidian ideology of equitable access to resources.
• Under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, the State has significantly expanded infrastructure, athlete support, talent identification, and sports employment pathways.
Key Highlights:
- Dravidian Model Applied to Sports Governance
- Based on the principle “Ellarukkum Ellam” (everything for everyone).
- Focus on early talent identification, wide facility creation, science-backed training, and timely rewards.
- Ensures rural–urban parity, social justice, and breaking entry barriers in sports.
- Impact Stories and Social Inclusion
- Case of Manoj, a para-athlete from Madurai:
- Supported financially through TN Champions Foundation.
- Now an international medal winner and secured a government job through the 3% sports quota.
- Symbolic of the model’s success in bridging socio-economic barriers.
- Tamil Nadu’s Sporting Achievements
- Produced 34 of India’s 89 Chess Grandmasters and two World Chess Champions.
- 12 Olympians at the Paris Games; 6 in track and field.
- At Hangzhou Asian Games: 46 TN athletes contributed to India’s 28 medals.
- Para Asian Games: 18 athletes → 15 medals.
- Khelo Para Games: medals rose to 74 (2025) from 42 (2023).
- National Games tally: 77 (2023) → 92 (2025) (20% rise).
- Massive Rise in Sports Investment
- Previous (2016–21): ₹800 crore.
- Current administration (past 5 years): ₹1,945 crore → 143% increase.
- Infrastructure Expansion (Since 2021)
- 28 new sports complexes, including:
- District multi-sport centres
- Olympic academies
- Synthetic tracks (6 towns)
- High-altitude training centres
- International hockey turfs
- Velodrome
- Modern indoor arenas
- Upgraded stadiums: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi.
- Mini stadia in 75 blocks; modern gyms statewide.
- 60% projects situated in tier-II & III towns.
- Kalaignar Sports Kit Scheme: 33 types of sports equipment to all panchayats & urban bodies.
- Para-sports push: Accessible arenas in 11 districts; barrier-free stadiums.
- Reforms in Athlete Support Systems
- ELITE Scheme: From 12 athletes → 50 athletes now funded with ₹30 lakh/year.
- Mission International Medal Scheme: 48 → 125 athletes, receiving ₹12 lakh/year.
- Champions Development Scheme: 200 under-20 talents with ₹4 lakh/year.
- Support to chess prodigies like R. Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh.
- Accountability & Transparency Mechanisms
- High-level selection committee of Olympians and sports scientists.
- Clear performance criteria disclosed beforehand.
- Equal incentives for para-athletes.
- Since 2021: 4,617 sportspersons awarded ₹152 crore (4× increase from previous decade).
- Olympic/Paralympic incentives:
- ₹3 crore (Gold)
- ₹2 crore (Silver)
- ₹1 crore (Bronze).
- Participation Growth and Talent Pipeline
- Chief Minister’s Trophy Games (incl. e-sports & silambam):
- Registrations: 4.57 lakh (2023) → 16.28 lakh (2025).
- AI-based talent scouting + online registration.
- Identification of ~4,000 youngsters annually placed in SDAT hostels, Centres of Excellence & STAR Academies.
- Revitalisation of 3% Sports Quota in Government Jobs
- Previous regime: 3 athletes got jobs.
- Current regime: 109 sportspersons employed.
- Inclusion of Marginalised Groups
- Example: Rural women training at Nungambakkam facility → Won all four tennis golds at Khelo India Games 2023.
- Sports Tourism & Mega Events Hosted
- 44th Chess Olympiad (Chennai, 2022): 188 teams from 186 nations, budget ~₹110 crore.
- Hosted:
- Squash World Cup
- Asian Hockey Champions Trophy
- World Surf League
- Asian Junior Athletics Championships
- ATP/WTA events
- India’s first Formula-4 street night race.
- Future Plans
- Global Sports City in Chennai.
- Expanded sports science infrastructure.
- Strengthening para-sports systems.
- Enhanced digital platforms, coach training, and science-based performance monitoring.
Relevant Mains Points
- Sports as Social Engineering
- Reduces inequality, elevates rural & marginalised groups, aligns with Dravidian social justice ethos.
- Governance Innovations
- Science-backed training (biomechanics, nutrition, psychology).
- Athlete databases, performance benchmarks, transparency.
- State-driven sports economy and tourism.
- Strengths of Tamil Nadu Model
- Massive investment + distributed infrastructure.
- Data-driven selection & monitoring.
- Consistent incentives, predictable career pathways.
- Strong emphasis on para-sports and rural inclusion.
- Challenges
- Need to sustain long-term infrastructure upkeep.
- Balancing elite sport goals with mass participation.
- Ensuring rural athletes get adequate sports science access.
- Avoiding bureaucratic delays & talent dropouts.
- Way Forward
- Expand sports science centres to all districts.
- Strengthen grassroots academies with trained coaches.
- Improve private partnerships for talent sponsorship.
- Integrate school physical education with elite pathways.
- Enhance nutrition & mental health support.
- Build a stronger para-sports ecosystem and community inclusion.