Hon'ble Sports Development Minister Thiru Athav Arjuna hands over Rs.10 lakh in financial assistance to Tamil Nadu chess player Vaishali to enable her to participate in international chess tournaments. The Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development, Thiru Athav Arjuna, today (27.05.2026) at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, handed over a cheque for Rs.10 lakh as financial assistance to Tamil Nadu chess player Vaishali to enable her to participate in international tournaments. Following this, the Hon'ble Sports Development Minister said the following. Numerous measures are being undertaken to help Tamil Nadu's sportsmen and sportswomen win medals at international and world-level competitions. In particular, talented sportspersons are being identified and provided need-based assistance for their competitions. In this regard, under the Champions Development Scheme (CDS), national-level gold medallists under the age of 20 are selected and provided need-based assistance of up to Rs.4 lakh per year. This fund helps with the purchase of sports uniforms and equipment, and expenses related to overseas training and competitions. Further, under the Scheme to Encourage Participation in International Meets (MIMS), sportspersons capable of winning medals at international-level competitions are given financial assistance of Rs.12 lakh per year, which helps with the purchase of sports equipment and materials, training abroad, and participation in international competitions. Similarly, under the Special Assistance Scheme for Elite Sportspersons (ELITE), sportspersons capable of winning medals at the Olympics and other international-level competitions are given need-based assistance; under this scheme, each individual is provided Rs.30 lakh in financial assistance per year. In this regard, Rs.10 lakh in financial assistance has been provided under the Special Assistance Scheme for elite sportspersons to enable Tamil Nadu chess player Vaishali to participate in international chess tournaments. Similarly, financial assistance is being provided promptly to our sportspersons who strive to succeed at international and world-level competitions and who have won medals at national-level events. The event was attended by Thiru Vajjan Singh Ra Sawan, IAS, Secretary to Government, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department; Thiru J. Meganatha Chetty, IAS, Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority; Thiru Se. Suman, District Revenue Officer; Smt. L. Sujatha, General Manager; and other government officials. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9