International hockey is returning to the city after a 16-year hiatus, with the Men’s Asian Championship taking place here at SDAT Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in the last week of August this year. The 2007 Asian Cup Men’s Hockey Championship was the last international hockey event held in Chennai. “The dates for the event have not yet been determined, but it is expected to take place in August last week. Hockey India officials inspected SDAT Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium and suggested changing some things. We will make any necessary changes (e.g. reset the artificial turf) and prepare the stadium in time,” Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu Udhayanidhi Stalin told the media during an interaction on Wednesday.
In addition to Udhayanidhi, Tamil Nadu Sports Secretary Atulya Misra and Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority Secretary J. Meghanatha Reddy were also present at the meeting. The newly appointed minister is very active and has taken some quick decisions to speed up the overall sport development in the state and make Tamil Nadu a model for sports in the country.
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The state government is interested in developing infrastructure at a grassroots level. Scouting and training talent across the state for the future, and establishing three state-of-the-art sports science centers in Tamil Nadu. “We will build three sports centers in Madurai, Nilgiris, and Chennai. We have also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sri Ramachandra Sports Science Center to help current players use the facilities,” stated Udhayanidhi.
In addition, Udhayanidhi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports and Youth Minister Anurag Thakur to assign Khelo India to Tamil Nadu next year. The minister announced that the state government will spend Rs.25 crores to renovate five stadiums: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium, Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium, and Velachery Aquatic Complex. The Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation, a public-private initiative supporting young aspiring athletes, has recruited former India and Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni as a brand ambassador.
