CM Vijay Disburses Rs 6.85 Crore to Asian Games Para-Athletes, Launches Sportsmen Development Allowance Scheme

Chennai, Oct 29: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Thursday distributed cash incentives totalling Rs 6.85 crore to nine para-athletes from the state in recognition of their performances at the 5th Asian Para Games held in Japan.

At a ceremony held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, Vijay honoured the athletes and launched the Sportsmen Development Allowance Scheme. Thulasimathi Murugesan, who won one gold and two silver medals in para-badminton, received Rs 1.75 crore, while Naveen Sivakumar was awarded Rs 1.05 crore for his gold and bronze medals.

Among the other recipients, Nithya Sree received Rs 80 lakh, Solairaj Dharmaraj Rs 75 lakh, Manisha Ramadass and J D Madan Rs 60 lakh each, Sivarajan Solaimalai and Kasthuri Rajamani Rs 50 lakh each, and Baby Sahana Rs 30 lakh.

The Chief Minister also presented trophies to the top three districts in the Chief Minister's Trophy 2026. Chennai topped the medal tally with 319 medals, including 142 gold, followed by Chengalpattu with 143 medals and Coimbatore with 118.

The 2026 edition witnessed 27.82 lakh online registrations across 45 disciplines, five categories, 38 districts and six zones. The tournament had a total prize allocation of Rs 38 crore.

As part of efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure, Vijay inaugurated the Tamil Nadu Olympic Aquatics Academy in Ramanathapuram, constructed at a cost of Rs 42.90 crore, and a multipurpose sports complex in Salem, built for Rs 20 crore.

The newly launched Sportsmen Development Allowance Scheme will benefit 2,600 athletes training at SDAT hostels and specialised centres. With an annual allocation of Rs 1.77 crore, the scheme provides a monthly allowance of Rs 500 to athletes in standard hostels and specialised centres, and Rs 1,000 to those at primary sports centre hostels.