Sports Minister Launches Talent Research Wing to Scout Athletes Without Recommendation Bias

PRESS RELEASE Economic circumstances must no longer be an obstacle for athletes and sportswomen striving for achievement in sports. A Talent Research Wing to be set up to identify skilled athletes across Tamil Nadu. 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 review meeting with sports department government officials was held today (19.05.2026) at the Nehru Indoor Stadium. Following the review meeting, the Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development said the following. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is drawing up various long-term plans keeping in mind the state's future needs. In that regard, a review meeting was held with senior sports department government officials on the requirements to be addressed for the sports sector in the coming years and the action plans for implementing them. In particular, a detailed review was conducted on the infrastructure works to be undertaken by the sports department in 2026-27, on providing a 3% job reservation for athletes in government department recruitment, on a scheme to provide enhanced incentive amounts to further motivate athletes who have won medals at national and international competitions, on improvements to be made at sports hostels, and on financial assistance schemes for athletes. In particular, it was directed that access to sports equipment covering athletes' basic needs be ensured, and that necessary initiatives be undertaken on the basis that economic circumstances must no longer be an obstacle for athletes and sportswomen striving for achievement in sports. Since this can only be achieved through coordinated efforts among the sports department, sports associations and athletes, steps have also been taken to integrate the activities of sports associations through an online portal. In line with the Hon'ble Chief Minister's directive, the Minister will personally visit all districts of Tamil Nadu in his capacity as Sports Minister to review the infrastructure and facilities to be developed for sports. In particular, action has been taken to identify students who excel in sports from their school years but come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and to provide them with the necessary training through the Sports Development Department to help them become achievers. As the first step in this direction, a Talent Research Wing has been established, which will function state-wide without any recommendations, giving importance solely to talent in identifying promising athletes. This is what the Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development told reporters. Earlier, he interacted with athletes who took part in the hostel selection trials at the Nehru Indoor Stadium. He also visited the dedicated gymnasium, table tennis, weightlifting and shooting training centres for para-athletes, met the athletes training there, and enquired about their needs. During the review, 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, 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