CHENNAI — Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Aadhav Arjuna announced plans to establish 10 Olympic academies across the state and implement a new youth sports policy. "We'll start planning and set up 10 Olympic academies across Tamil Nadu," Arjuna said. He stated the initiative aims to address youth engagement and develop athletic talent.

Arjuna said a clear vision for sports has been lacking in the state. "We do not have a clear vision for sports, which is why our youth are getting stuck with drugs and alcohol," he said. He emphasized that sports provide a solution to these problems. "Sports are the best solution for this," Arjuna said.

The minister noted the state's historical Olympic performance. "In the last hundred years, we have not won an Olympic medal," he said. The new sports policy will target individuals aged 8 to 18 years. "We are going to create a new structure for sports, particularly a sports policy focused on the age group of 8 to 18 years," Arjuna said. He stated the ultimate goal is to win Olympic medals and that the Chief Minister and the new government should prioritize sports development and drug abuse prevention.