Udhayanidhi Stalin Inspects Construction of Boxing Academy & Sports Arena in Chennai

Honorable Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin visited and inspected the construction works of the Kalaignar Centenary Boxing Academy, built at a cost of ₹7.79 crore in Chennai, Kotturpuram, and the Small Indoor Stadium, built at a cost of ₹3.00 crore in Chennai, Chepauk – Thiruvallikeni.

Honorable Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin visited Kotturpuram, Chennai, where the Kalaignar Centenary Boxing Academy is being constructed for ₹7.79 crore, and Chepauk – Thiruvallikeni, where the Small Indoor Stadium is being constructed for ₹3.00 crore, and inspected the construction progress.

The Kalaignar Centenary Boxing Academy is being built in Kotturpuram, Chennai, at a cost of ₹7.79 crore. It includes a fully air-conditioned indoor stadium with an 890-seat parliamentary-style viewing gallery, a training center, administrative office, coaching rooms, training area, doctor’s room, and a gymnasium.

The Small Indoor Stadium in Chepauk – Thiruvallikeni Assembly Constituency is being built on 4.068 acres at a cost of ₹3.00 crore under the Chief Minister’s Small Sports Arena scheme. The training hall building is being constructed over 396 square meters with a warm-up area, separate changing rooms for men and women, toilets, storage rooms, a kitchen, and other facilities. Additionally, an open-air viewing gallery with a capacity of 265 seats is also being built.

Honorable Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin visited these projects today and directed officials to expedite the work.

Press Statement

Later, while addressing the media, Honorable Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin stated:

“In Kotturpuram, Chennai, there are numerous talented boxing athletes. They had requested the government to establish a high-standard boxing academy. Recognizing their potential, our Honorable Chief Minister ordered the establishment of a boxing academy in Kotturpuram, Chennai’s central area.

Accordingly, in commemoration of Kalaignar’s centenary, a boxing academy worth ₹8 crore was planned in Kotturpuram. Honorable Chief Minister initiated this project in December 2023. Now, as the work nears completion, Honorable Chief Minister will inaugurate the academy on the 25th of this month. Ahead of this, along with MPs, MLAs, and government officials, I inspected the progress of the work today.

This academy has been constructed with funding of ₹2 crore from MP Mr. Dayanidhi Maran’s constituency development fund, ₹1 crore from MLA Dr. N. Ezhilan’s constituency development fund, and ₹5 crore from government funds.

The stadium’s parliamentary-style seating accommodates 750 spectators. The facility includes two boxing rings, a 2,500-square-foot training area, a gymnasium, and a dedicated boxing training ring.

This Kalaignar Centenary Boxing Academy will serve as a key training center for producing world-class boxing champions from Chennai.

Question on Union Education Minister’s Statement

Question:

What is your response to the Union Education Minister’s recent remarks?

Response:

The Union Education Minister’s statement is completely condemnable. Our State School Education Minister and officials have been actively working on education policies. The Union Government, with a discriminatory mindset, has not allocated even a single rupee for Tamil Nadu’s education in its budget. It has not sanctioned funds for any scheme. However, they are now demanding that states contribute funds, which is unjust. This is completely unacceptable, and our Honorable Chief Minister has strongly condemned it.

In Tamil Nadu, the two-language policy has been in place for a long time. As our great leader Perarignar Anna declared, we will never accept a three-language policy. No matter what, under any circumstances, Tamil Nadu’s government and its people will not accept it.

Question:

Other states have accepted the three-language policy, but only Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal have opposed it. Why?

Response:

Just because other states have accepted it does not mean we should too. India is a country of Unity in Diversity. Every state has its own identity and cultural understanding.

Tamil Nadu ranks No. 1 in Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in education. Our two-language policy has ensured quality education. If you look at top doctors and dentists, many have studied in Tamil-medium government schools and are now working at top institutions globally. We do not need to change anything.

We strongly condemn this imposition. Tamil Nadu will never accept the three-language policy, and neither will its people. Our Honorable Chief Minister has made this clear.

Officials Present

The inspection was attended by MP Mr. Dayanidhi Maran, MLA Dr. N. Ezhilan, Engineer Nalan, Additional Secretary for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Dr. Athulya Mishra, IAS, Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority Member Secretary Mr. S. Kannan, IAS, Greater Chennai Corporation Executive Engineer (Works) Mr. K. Chitrasu, and other senior government officials.

Issued by:

Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9