“Sure, why not” aver some sports administrators. The hunt for talented sportspersons – male and female – in any sport begins locally. And to shape these talents to district, state, national and ultimately to international level depends essentially on two factors: quality infrastructure like playgrounds and stadia, and qualified coaches. In this aspect, Tamil Nadu, which has given Indian sport many international stars, arguably ranks high. What’s more, Chennai city is at the threshold of becoming a sports hub with the state government recently announcing the construction of high class or what it calls world class infrastructure. Some of the facilities are being created in a few districts too.
In Chennai city the massive drive to create world class sports facilities gained momentum in early 1990s when the South Asian Federation( SAF) Games were allotted to Tamil Nadu. The then heads of various sports associations received assistance from the then ruling state government to realise this task for successful conduct of the competitions in various sporting disciplines. The most important facilities created on that occasion included rebuilding of the Corporation Indoor stadium at Periamet into a modern football and athletics arena (track and field), a modern indoor stadium nearby, an international class swimming pool at Velachery, India’s first astro-turf hockey facility at the Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium at Egmore, an indoor basketball stadium, and a modern Sivanthi Adityan shooting range on the city outskirts. It is common knowledge now as to how Tamil Nadu has been progressing in sports since then what with the sprouting of national and international class champions. And now with the determination of the present state government to develop further Chennai city (as well as the state in the years ahead) into the sporting capital of the country as it were, a slew of latest sporting infrastructure is being created.
Mayor Radhakrishnan stadium at Egmore.Picture courtesy: The Hindu.
First to promote grassroots level development, a modern boxing academy has been thrown open at Gopalapuram area very recently (see MM, May 16-31, 2025 issue). Close on its heels a Rs. 9 crore sports centre has been announced under the aegis of Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority( CMDA) at Royapuram area in north Chennai. The facilities will include those for a range of sports like martial arts, table tennis, carrom, badminton, cricket, football, basketball, handball, volleyball and gymnastics.
Recently the Rs 3.68 crores SDAT Star Academy as well as various other sports infrastructures at a cost of Rs 16.73 crores have been inaugurated. The highlight of this development endeavour is the setting up of 18 Chief Ministers Mini Sports Arenas. Reflecting on these efforts for the big push for sports development SDAT Member Secretary Mr. Megnatha Reddy, who spoke to Madras Musings averred “Infrastructure has been a major focus area. This will also include upgradation of the existing five major stadia put up for the SAF Games in the early 90s under the aegis of the then state government.”
Former women’s hockey administrator from Chennai, Ms. Renuka Lakshmi welcomed the increasing sports infrastructure in the state especially in Chennai and observed “that with the right resources and support, I firmly believe that Chennai has the potential to produce more Olympians.”
Speaking to Madras Musings Renuka also observed that there was a time when development of sports was being hampered by obsolete infrastructure and a lack of professionally trained coaches. “However, the establishment of the Tamil Nadu Sports University dedicated to professional sports research, has marked a positive change”, she points out.
And, as Renuka, a former hockey player herself, avers Chennai/Tamil Nadu known now for high sports awareness, is also now known for “high class” stadiums hosting international competitions also. The SDATN along with State Associations has been promoting sports through various schemes, sponsorships, and active participation in school, university and national competitions. In the same vein, Renuka also opines that there is a need for a dedicated sports centre similar to SDATN as well as the facilities at Sri Ramachandra Medical College in Chennai city to train top sportspersons of Tamil Nadu professionally.