Udhayanidhi Stalin Applauds Tamil Nadu Medal Haul at 20th Asian Games, Urges Sustained Funding for Public Sports Infrastructure

Tamil Nadu Leader of the Opposition and DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udhayanidhi Stalin celebrated the medal haul achieved by Tamil Nadu athletes representing India at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Welcoming the results, Udhayanidhi observed that systematic sports funding initiated under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is yielding concrete international dividends. He cited hurdler Vithya Ramraj’s record time of 54.75 seconds in the 400m hurdles as clear proof of what grassroots talent accomplishes when backed by public policy. Beyond individual records, Udhayanidhi praised medal-winning athletes Abinaya, Vishal, Rajesh Ramesh, Abhay Singh, Velavan Senthilkumar, Baranica, Hariharan, and Kamalini. He emphasized that these victories reflect a deliberate institutional policy rather than isolated luck. Through the Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation and high-performance training grants, the Dravidian model shifted athletic sponsorship from private patronage to guaranteed public assistance, ensuring that working-class youths receive elite coaching and international exposure. Directly supporting these athletic achievements, the state’s 3 percent employment reservation has appointed 300 sportspersons to permanent government positions. Udhayanidhi pointed out that offering job security relieves working-class families of economic vulnerability, allowing competitors to focus entirely on rigorous physical training. He urged the present administration to maintain uninterrupted budgetary allocations for sports infrastructure, asserting that democratic governance must protect every youth's right to excel globally.

Happy to see the investment and support for sports by our #DravidianModel Government bearing fruit at the 20th Asian Games being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. A big round of applause to Tamil Nadu’s super-talented athlete, Vidya Ramaraj, who has set a new record by clocking 54.75 seconds in the women’s 400m hurdles. Recognising her talent, our Dravidian Model Government ensured that Vidya received the necessary support under the ELITE category as well as assistance from the HCI. Coming from a humble background, Vidya has emerged as an inspiration to millions. I also congratulate all our Tamil Nadu athletes Abinaya, Vishal, Rajesh Ramesh, Abhay Singh, Josna Chinnappa, Velavan Senthilkumar, Baranica, Hariharan and Kamalini for winning medals for India at the Asian Games and making Tamil Nadu proud. Efforts such as financial assistance through various schemes including TNCF, and the provision of government jobs to 300 athletes under the 3% sports reservation have played a significant role in helping our sportspersons achieve these heights. I hope the current government will continue to extend such support to our athletes, enabling them to achieve even greater success. May our sports stars continue to rise and shine! #AsianGames #VidyaRamaraj