Two-medal target for Tamil Nadu in Tokyo Olympics

School Education and Sports Minister K Pandiarajan on Wednesday informed the State Assembly that the government would strive to triple the number of Olympians sent from the state to the next Olympics. 

He was intervening during the debate on the demand for grants for HR and CE department to respond to a specific query raised by a member of the Opposition. Tamil Nadu had sent eight Olympians to Rio 2016.

“The government is hopeful that at least two of the 24 Olympians would win medals in the next Olympics,” he confidently informed the House, adding that necessary infrastructure was being developed to achieve the target. 

The Chief Minister has promised Rs 2 crore, Rs 1 crore and Rs 50 lakh for each gold, silver and bronze medal won in Olympics. Likewise, the state government has instituted a special scholarship for five elite sportspersons with Rs 25 lakh per annum each to develop their performance in every possible way to win medals at international competitions and Olympics. 

“We are sure the Chief Minister’s vision will come true and we would win two medals in the next Olympics,” Pandiarajan told DTNext outside the House.