Sports Minister Adhav Arjuna Inspects Nehru Stadium, Vows Push for Olympic Medals

Necessary action plans will be drawn up to help Tamil Nadu win medals at the Olympics. In the coming years, sports will play a very important role in keeping youth away from drug addiction and in building a healthy society, physically and mentally. Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Thiru Aadhav Arjuna inspects the Nehru Indoor Stadium — an update. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Thiru Aadhav Arjuna today (18.05.2026) personally inspected the infrastructure, sports hostel, and the diet, training and requirements of athletes at the Nehru Indoor Stadium. Following the inspection, the Hon'ble Minister told reporters as follows. As per the guidance of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, various special measures are to be undertaken for the advancement of the sports department. In that regard, today the infrastructure, sports hostel, and the diet, training and needs of the athletes staying at the hostel at the Nehru Indoor Stadium were discussed and ascertained. In particular, as someone who was himself a hostel student — indeed at this very hostel for athletes located within the Nehru Indoor Stadium — who began 22 years ago as an ordinary basketball player, I am happy to share this journey with everyone present today. It is the Hon'ble Chief Minister's view that just as much importance as is given to education must be given equally to sports and to students. Especially from school age, sports plays a crucial role in keeping youth away from drug addiction and in building physical and mental health and a good society. As an example: Brazil once had a serious problem of drug abuse and drug culture. But the Brazilian government of that time gave importance to and promoted sports. Following this, the country's youth increasingly focused their time and effort on sports. As a result, Brazil was transformed into one of the best countries in the world in football. We describe Tamil Nadu as an economically advanced state. But apart from team sports, we have not so far won a medal in individual sporting events. Having brought this situation to the attention of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, necessary action plans will be formulated to help Tamil Nadu win medals in international and Olympic competitions. The Hon'ble Chief Minister is formulating various action plans to completely eradicate drug abuse in Tamil Nadu. As one step in this direction, promoting the sports sector as noted above is also very important. In particular, when importance is given to sports from school age in both urban and rural areas at all levels, and focus is placed on such action plans, there is a greater chance of eradicating drug culture. We have already begun work in this direction. Having brought this to the attention of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, necessary steps will be taken to improve infrastructure facilities needed for the sports department in all districts of Tamil Nadu. This is what Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Thiru Aadhav Arjuna told reporters. Earlier, he inspected construction works at the multi-purpose indoor stadium for handball and basketball competitions worth Rs. 3.49 crore to be set up at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, the swimming training centre, para-badminton hall, roller skating training centre, and Chennai Olympic Academy centre, among various other locations. Following this, he reviewed the breakfast served at the women athletes' hostel and had a meal with the women athletes. During the inspection, Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department Secretary Thiru Sathyabrata Sahoo, IAS, Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority Member Secretary Thiru J. Meghanatha Reddy, IAS, District Revenue Officer Dr. Ra. Suman, General Manager Tmt. L. Sujatha, Deputy General Manager Tmt. Noyelin John, Administrative Engineer Thiru Pushpalingam, and other concerned government officials were present. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9