Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday rolled out a red carpet for the state's sporting heroes, presenting substantial financial rewards and public accolades to athletes who brought glory at international events. The event, held in Chennai, saw the CM honouring medalists from the recent Carrom World Cup and the SDAT Squash World Cup, underlining the government's robust commitment to nurturing sports talent.
Celebrating Carrom World Cup Triumph
At a special ceremony, the Chief Minister personally felicitated the triumphant carrom players who excelled at the 7th Carrom World Cup in the Maldives. He extended his warm congratulations to medal winners Keerthana, Kasima, and Mithra for their outstanding performances on the global stage. In a significant move to support and motivate the athletes, Stalin announced cash incentives with a total value of ₹1.90 crore for their remarkable achievements.
Honouring Squash Stars and SDAT Achievement
The recognition extended beyond carrom. CM Stalin also met and congratulated the victorious Indian contingent from the SDAT Squash World Cup 2025, which was hosted in Chennai itself. The celebrated squash players honoured included stalwarts Joshna Chinappa, Abhay Singh, Anahat Singh, and Velavan Senthilkumar. Furthermore, the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority (SDAT) received special praise for being honoured with the Best State Promoting Sports Development award, a testament to the state's structured efforts in sports administration.
Reiterating Commitment to Sports Infrastructure
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Stalin reiterated the state government's unwavering commitment to strengthening the ecosystem for athletes. He emphasized a three-pronged focus on enhancing sports infrastructure, providing advanced training facilities, and ensuring generous incentive schemes. This holistic approach, the CM stated, is designed to create an enabling environment where athletes from Tamil Nadu can train, compete, and excel at the highest levels, bringing more international honours to the state and the nation.
The event served as a powerful statement of intent from the Tamil Nadu government, showcasing its proactive role in not just celebrating success but also investing in the future of its sporting talent. By directly rewarding excellence and backing it with policy support, the state aims to solidify its position as a leading hub for sports development in India.
