BJP MLA Requests New Hockey Turf, Tamil Nadu Minister Responds
CHENNAI: A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Tamil Nadu has requested a new hockey turf, while the old one was being transported from Chennai to the Balayangottai Anna Sports Ground. Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has responded to the request made by Nayanar Nagendran.
Nayanar Nagendra, the President of the Tamil Nadu BJP Assembly Committee, posted a video on social media, tagging Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The video showed an image of what seemed to be a crane attached to a container.
In the video, Nagendra stated, “For the attention of Honorable Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin! A very old hockey turf has been sent from Chennai to Balayangottai Anna Stadium. The cost of setting it up is very high. Therefore, a new hockey turf has been sent, and the necessary documents have been submitted. I kindly request you to take action on this matter.”
Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin retweeted the video and responded on Twitter by saying, “Hello brother Nayanar Nagendran, the Asia Cup hockey tournament will be held in Chennai after 16 years, starting on August 3.”
He further explained, “For this tournament, the Corporation Government is renovating the Egmore Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium at a cost of Rs. 15 crores. A new hockey turf will be laid for the international tournament. The turf laid in 2015 at Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium is still usable for seven more years for national level matches and training.”
Stalin clarified that the demand for the old hockey turf came from athletes in different districts of Tamil Nadu, including the densely populated Balayangottai area. To fulfill the demand, the hockey turf was relocated from Chennai to the Balayangottai Anna Stadium.
However, Stalin assured Nagendran that if there is a need for a new hockey turf in any other district, the government is ready to provide it. He mentioned that the new turf in Palayamkottai would cost approximately Rs. 4 crore. Stalin also proposed that if Nagendran provides Rs. 3 crore from the constituency development fund, the government would consider allocating the remaining amount for the new turf.
The response from Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin clarifies the situation and highlights the government’s efforts to meet the demands of athletes across Tamil Nadu. The availability of suitable sports infrastructure is crucial for the successful organization of tournaments and the development of the sports industry in the state.