CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to strengthen grassroots sports, announcing plans to establish 10 special Olympics centres, introduce a mandatory one-hour daily sports and exercise session in govt schools after class hours, and identify sporting talent from an early age as part of the state’s budget for 2026-27.Presenting the budget on Wednesday, finance minister N Marie Wilson earmarked Rs 1,051 crore for the sports and youth welfare department. The budget proposes to set up 10 special Olympics centres at a cost of Rs 50 crore.The finance minister announced that govt schools would conduct one-hour of sports and exercise every day after school hours to improve physical activity among schoolchildren. The initiative marks a significant expansion from the existing system of just two physical education periods a week. Schools will also be provided with the necessary sports equipment to implement the programme.The govt also announced plans to create neighbourhood sports facilities to improve access to playgrounds and encourage community participation in sports. The budget allocated Rs 42 crore to help Tamil Nadu’s traditional sports gain national and international recognition.The state has earmarked Rs 5 crore to identify sporting talent among children aged 8 to 18 years and provide them with world-class training, with the aim of creating a strong pipeline of future athletes.
