'No funds from centre for major sports infrastructure in TN' alleges Sports Min Sundararaj

Tamil Nadu's minister for youth welfare and sports development, S Sundararaj, today alleged that the Centre has not sanctioned funds for the development of sports infrastructure in their state.

"Over the last four years, Tamil Nadu government's financial outlay for sports has been enhanced from Rs 31.79 crore in 2011-2012 to Rs 141.91 crore in 2014-15. But no funds have been sanctioned from Government of India to create major sports infrastructure", he said, at the Conference of State Ministers of Youth and Sports Development at Delhi.

The minister said the state government has given thrust to developing sports in the last four years and that "Tamil Nadu is fast progressing to become the number one sporting state in the country."

Sundararaj alleged that the Centre's failure last year to give 100 percent grant under the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan scheme as promised for conduct of national level competitions had resulted in Tamil Nadu athletes being unable to take part such events.

He also requested the union government to sanction grants for constructing youth hostels in Rameswaram and Kanyakumari, which he said offer good climatic conditions for developing youth in sports.