Vellore to get sports complex, badminton academy for TN

Making a statement under Rule 110 in the state Assembly, he said the sports complex would have facilities for 400 metre athletics track, gallery, administrative office besides grounds for hockey, basketball, kabaddi, badminton and tennis.

It would also have a swimming pool, gymnasium and other facilities, he said.

About 50 players would be selected under a scheme to encourage sports persons to win medals at contests at the international level. They would be provided Rs 10 lakh each to buy the required equipment and go abroad for coaching.

At Madhurandhagam in Kancheepuram, a training complex for NCC would be formed and 2.02 hectares would be allocated for the purpose at Neerpeyar village. A ground for parade and training institute for hurdles would be set up in the complex, the Chief Minister said.

He said there were badminton players in Tamil Nadu with adequate talent to win medals at international events. A ‘Badminton Academy’ would be set up to encourage such players at the Tamil Nadu University of Sports and Physical Training at a cost of Rs 10 crore.

Various sports science laboratories in the universities would be utilised to identify the skills of the players and prepare them for the conditions prevailing at the international arena, Palaniswami said. Sports would develop the ability of the body and provide mental strength, besides creating social amity, he added.