Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna Urges Centre to Host 2029 National Games
CHENNAI — Tamil Nadu State Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna has officially urged the Central government to permit the state to host the 2029 National Games. The minister presented the proposal during a meeting in Delhi, highlighting the positive impact the event would have on the region's athletic development.
On Wednesday, Aadhav called on the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, to present a formal memorandum. In this document, the state sports minister highlighted Tamil Nadu’s successful track record of hosting major national and international sporting events, arguing that the state is fully prepared to manage an event of this scale.
According to Aadhav, allowing Tamil Nadu to host the 2029 National Games would create a lasting infrastructure legacy for the state. He emphasized that the tournament would significantly boost the local sporting ecosystem and provide a major platform for regional athletes.
The memorandum submitted to the Union Minister also contained several other key proposals aimed at developing sports infrastructure across different districts. Aadhav pointed out that Tamil Nadu features a 1,076-kilometre-long coastline, which makes it an ideal location for coastal athletics. He specifically requested the establishment of a national centre of excellence for beach sports in Nagapattinam district, citing its unique coastal landscape and the rich availability of local talent in the region.
Additionally, Aadhav requested the Central government's support in setting up high-performance cycling facilities. The proposals included building an international-standard indoor cycling velodrome as well as a national cycling high-performance centre, both to be located in Coimbatore.
Finally, the state sports minister urged the Centre to expand the Khelo India ecosystem across the region. He requested the establishment of sports centres throughout the state, specifically structured so that at least two priority sports disciplines are covered in every single district of Tamil Nadu.
