Chemmancherry Sports City Project Being Restructured, Aadhav Arjuna Tells Assembly

The proposed Global Sports City project in Chemmancherry has not been scrapped and is instead being restructured into an Olympic-standard facility, State Minister for Sports and Public Works Department Aadhav Arjuna told the Legislative Assembly on Monday.

Responding to a call attention motion moved by Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, the minister stated that a new Detailed Project Report (DPR) is being prepared to upgrade the facility so it can host 42 sporting events at international standards.

Earlier in the session, Udhayanidhi Stalin raised concerns over the status of the project, which had been planned across 128 acres of land in Chemmancherry at an estimated cost of Rs 261 crore during the DMK regime. He questioned why the initiative appeared to have been cancelled, comparing it to the Parandur airport project, and pointed out that acquiring 128 acres near Chennai had required extensive studies.

Dismissing the claim that the scheme was cancelled, Aadhav Arjuna explained that the government is formulating a comprehensive sports policy. Under this framework, 10 Olympic Academies will be established alongside the international-standard sports facility in Chemmancherry.

The minister noted that Tamil Nadu has not produced an Olympic medalist in the past 100 years. To address foundational gaps, the state plans to build basic sports infrastructure, including dedicated sports hostels for men and women across all 38 districts.

Criticising the previous administration's progress, Arjuna stated that although the DMK manifesto included the sports city and a contract was sought on January 8, no physical work had been executed over the last five years beyond laying a foundation stone prior to elections. He added that no international-standard sports stadium had been constructed in the state since 1994.

The revised proposal is currently under review by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, who will officially announce the finalized plan. The minister assured the House that construction work would commence within six months of the Chief Minister's announcement, with a target to complete the project within five years.