PRESS RELEASE Steps to identify and send eligible athletes from Tamil Nadu to the 2028 Summer Olympics to be held in the United States of America. Update from Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Thiru Aadhav Arjuna. ------------------------------------------------------ Under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Thiru Aadhav Arjuna, a consultation meeting with administrators of all sports associations in Tamil Nadu was held today (22.05.2026) at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai. At the meeting, the Hon'ble Minister for Sports Development stated as follows. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is paying special attention to the advancement of the younger generation. As part of this, athletes and sportswomen who show interest in sports are being identified and, through the Sports Development Department, being transformed into achievers under long-term action plans. In particular, importance has been given to sports as one means of guiding youth away from drug addiction in Tamil Nadu. Long-term action plans are also being drawn up to enable youth from Tamil Nadu to take part in and win medals at future Olympic Games. To achieve this action plan swiftly, necessary steps have been taken with the coordinated efforts of the sports department, sports association administrators, and athletes. In particular, it has been announced that I can be met without difficulty every day from 7 AM to 10 AM at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai, regarding sports department matters. Having been an athlete myself, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has entrusted me with the responsibility of Minister for Sports Development. Because of this, I well understand what is needed for the advancement of athletes and sportswomen, and how sports associations can constructively cooperate for the advancement of the sports sector. Working together with the government administration, we can help Tamil Nadu's athletes and sportswomen become winners on the world stage. For this, the cooperation of all of you, as administrators of sports associations, is essential. Further, considering the importance of sports associations, a coordination officer will be appointed within the Sports Development Department to bring together the activities of sports associations across Tamil Nadu. In particular, to fulfil the long-standing demand for an Olympic Bhavan in Tamil Nadu, necessary steps will be taken to complete its construction within the next 3-4 years. A talent scouting committee will also be set up to identify and train talented young athletes across the state who currently remain unrecognised. Further, it has been directed that the Sports Development Department act now to identify those with a chance of winning medals for Tamil Nadu at the 2028 Summer Olympics in the United States, and to help them become achievers. As Tamil Nadu athletes begin participating in and winning medals at the Olympics, interest in sports will grow among far more people than at present. We must come together to bring forward action plans for this. Through this, we can establish a new beginning in the history of sports in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, steps are being taken to host more international and national-level sporting events in Tamil Nadu in the coming years. For this, it is necessary to upgrade world-class infrastructure, including accommodation facilities, for athletes and sportspersons visiting Tamil Nadu from other countries and states. Steps will be taken to hold mini-Olympic competitions to enhance the skills of athletes in Tamil Nadu, to encourage greater participation of women in sporting competitions, and — keeping in mind the chances of success of athletes travelling long distances from Tamil Nadu to take part in national-level competitions — to arrange for them to travel by air. This is what the Hon'ble Minister for Sports Development stated. The consultation meeting was attended by Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department Secretary Thiru Sajjan Singh Rajvasan, IAS, Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority Member Secretary Thiru J. Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, District Revenue Officer Dr. Ra. Suman, General Manager Tmt. L. Sujatha, and administrators of all sports associations in Tamil Nadu. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9