Introduction

Tamil Nadu is emerging as one of India’s strongest sports powerhouses, thanks to its Olympic Quest scheme, grassroots investments, and international hosting plans. At PlayCom 2025: Business of Sports Summit, senior state officials outlined how Tamil Nadu is transforming its sports ecosystem to become India’s leading hub for both athletes and global sporting events.

Olympic Quest: Driving Tamil Nadu’s Sports Revolution

The Olympic Quest programme has become the backbone of Tamil Nadu’s sports growth. The scheme focuses on three pillars:

• Hiring world-class foreign coaches with competitive salaries

• Establishing Olympic academies across districts

• Providing financial incentives and jobs to medal-winning athletes

Dr. Atulya Misra IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, explained, “When we analysed medals vs. players sent to major events, Tamil Nadu outperformed all other states.”

Filling Olympic Gaps

A study tour to Paris showed that India has no representation in sports like BMX, climbing, taekwondo, gymnastics, rugby sevens, and softball. Tamil Nadu plans to build a sports city with advanced facilities, ensuring athletes gain exposure to these Olympic disciplines.

Grassroots Push and Corporate Role

While corporates support high-performance centres, officials admit grassroots funding is still limited. Many young athletes struggle for basic needs like equipment and travel support.

The Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation is bridging this gap. A shining example is M. Khazima, daughter of an auto driver, who received ₹1.5 lakh support to participate in the Carrom World Cup in the U.S. She went on to win the World Singles Championship, proving how small interventions create big champions.

Learning from Odisha, Scaling with Budget

Tamil Nadu has adapted the Odisha sports model where the government builds infrastructure while corporates provide technical expertise. Backed by a ₹1,945 crore budget over four years, Tamil Nadu has set up high-performance centres across districts.

The Chennai Olympic Academy alone trains over 400 athletes daily, creating a pipeline of future Olympians.

Success Stories: From Fencing to Chess

Targeted investments are paying off:

• Bhavani Devi, India’s only Olympic fencer, comes from Tamil Nadu

• Kanagalakshmi won silver at the FIE Foil Satellite World Cup in Bahrain

• Tamil Nadu has produced 34 of India’s 89 chess grandmasters, two world champions, and four Paris Paralympic medalists

• At the Asian and Para Asian Games, Tamil Nadu athletes contributed to 43 medals

Sports for All: Grassroots to Global

Tamil Nadu is expanding sports access across villages and towns:

• Mini Stadia in districts (100 by 2026)

• Rural sports arenas in 12,500 panchayats

• 11 para-sports arenas for differently-abled athletes

Mass participation drives like STAR (Sports Talent and Recognition) and the Chief Minister’s Trophy Games attracted over 30,000 athletes, proving the state’s strong grassroots ecosystem.

Rewards and Recognition

Athletes have received ₹152 crore in cash rewards and 104 sports quota jobs in just three years, ensuring sports as a career becomes more attractive.

Global Hosting: Putting Tamil Nadu on the Map

Tamil Nadu is not just investing in athletes but also hosting world-class events. The state has successfully staged:

• Chess Olympiad

• Squash World Cup

• Asian Surfing Championship

These events highlight Tamil Nadu’s ambition to be a global sporting hub.

Conclusion

Tamil Nadu’s mix of grassroots support, elite training, and global exposure is creating a powerful sports ecosystem. With its Olympic Quest scheme, international hosting, and rising stars, Tamil Nadu is not just building champions — it is shaping India’s future as a global sports destination.