CM Vijay Disburses ₹6.85 Crore to Para Asian Games Medallists

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has distributed cash incentive cheques worth ₹6.85 crore to nine Tamil Nadu athletes who won medals at the fifth Asian Para Games in Japan. The announcement was made during the concluding ceremony of the Chief Minister Trophy 2026 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai.

The event also marked the launch of a new monthly financial assistance scheme for 2,600 sportspersons training at government-run sports hostels and specialised sports centres across Tamil Nadu.

Para Asian Games Medal Winners Receive Cash Incentives

Among the athletes honoured, badminton player Thulasimathi Murugesan received ₹1.75 crore, while fellow badminton player Naveen Sivakumar was awarded ₹1.05 crore. Long jumper Solairaj Dharmaraj received ₹75 lakh.

The other athletes who received cash incentives were Nithyasree, Sivarajan Solaimani, Kasturi Rajamani, Manisha Ramadass, Baby Sahana and JD Madhan.

The financial incentives recognise the athletes` achievements and aim to encourage further success in international para-sports competitions.

Monthly Assistance Scheme for 2,600 Sportspersons

Chief Minister Vijay also launched a monthly assistance scheme to support athletes undergoing training at facilities managed by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT).

Under the scheme:

- Athletes training at sports hostels and specialised sports centres will receive ₹500 per month towards personal expenses.

- Athletes staying at hostels attached to premier sports centres will receive ₹1,000 per month.

- The scheme has an annual budget allocation of ₹1.77 crore.

The initiative aims to provide additional financial support to athletes and help them concentrate on training and competitions.

Chennai Tops Chief Minister Trophy 2026 Medal Tally

During the concluding ceremony, the Chief Minister presented trophies to the three districts that secured the highest medal counts in the state-level competitions.

Chennai secured first place with 319 medals, comprising 142 gold, 97 silver and 80 bronze medals.

Chengalpattu finished second with 143 medals, while Coimbatore secured third place with 118 medals.

The Chief Minister Trophy 2026 received 27.82 lakh registrations, with 10.36 lakh athletes participating in district- and zonal-level competitions across all 38 districts of Tamil Nadu.

Competitions were conducted in 45 sports disciplines, including seven newly introduced events. The tournament had a total prize allocation of ₹38 crore.

New Sports Facilities Inaugurated in Tamil Nadu

As part of the state`s sports development initiatives, Vijay inauguratated two major sports facilities.

The Tamil Nadu Olympic Water Sports Academy at Pirappanvalasai in Ramanathapuram district was established at a cost of ₹42.90 crore.

A multi-purpose sports complex at Karuppur in Salem district was also inaugurated. The facility was constructed at a cost of ₹20 crore.

These projects are intended to strengthen sports infrastructure and provide athletes with improved facilities for training and competition.

Tamil Nadu Strengthens Support for Athletes

The distribution of cash incentives, launch of monthly financial assistance and inauguration of new sports facilities highlight Tamil Nadu`s efforts to support athletes at different levels.

With financial assistance, competitive opportunities and improved training infrastructure, the initiatives aim to encourage emerging talent and strengthen the state`s performance in national and international sporting events.