“Tamil Nadu is one of those States where solid infrastructure for sports exists. Therefore, our (Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu) aim right now is to provide a series of programmes and activities to effectively utilize the existing infrastructure as well as human resources. Trendily said, we have hardware and need to work on software”

This is how Atulya Misra, the suave Member Secretary, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, sets forth the framework for his approach towards sports development in the State. The 1988 batch IAS officer has taken over the reigns of SDATN in February this year. His departments’ role in successful conduct of the 9th Asia Cup August this year came in for praise from the knowledgeable quarters. S2h met him at his chamber during the Asia Cup competition.

“There are 23 official sports. We emphasize equal importance to every one of them. We have elaborate and broadbased programmes. Our focus is schools at grass root levels, from where after due selection and grooming

processes talents are expected to converge at District Centres for specialized training. These District Sports Centres are of course nerve centre of our sporting activities. We will strive to provide at least a coach for each of these disciplines there, if not more”, Misra explains the philosophy behind the SDATN’s vision.

It is learnt each District Centre Sports Complex is proposed to have swimming pool, football and synthetic athletic track, besides boarding and lodging facilities for athletes. Athletes will also have free bus passes to commute from their villages to these centres to make most of the benefits available there.

Misra emphasizes special focus on areas where a particular sport is very popular and produces role model players. SDATN have three Special Development Centres; Sathuvachery (Vellore) for weightlifting, Coimbatore for Boxing and Tirunelveli for hockey. “Besides, we have selected about 30 villages in a special programme,. For hockey, for instance, one village each in Nilgiri, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli District are now designated as ‘Hockey Villages’. These villages basically have a natural grass playground, we help them by providing other requirements such as playing kits and allowances. For this we sign Memorandum of Understanding with the concerned Village Panchayats. Sunset class for each player selected here is three years”, Misra explains the exciting schemes.

SDATN also proposes to have 17 Sports Academies.

After grassroot, District Centres, comes the third tier, that is, Centre of Excellence, where State teams would get advanced practice facilities with scientific support. “beyond this comes the role of Sports Authority of India’, Misra gives logical conclusion”. It is understood SDATN is seeking corporate involvement for these centres and the ones like Murugappa Group have already evinced interest.

“As a policy, we seek the help of Sports Associations, which are all democratic bodies. Their support is very much needed for the grassroot talent for which we spend money and manpower develop into a national output”, Misra emphasizes synergy in sports.

If all the programmes are put in place with the spirit with which they are formulated, Tamil Nadu will sure become a Model Sports State, as Misra envisions.

Photo Caption:

Atulya Misra, Member Secretary, Sports Development Authorioty of Tamil Nadu giving away the Man of Match award to Dilip Tirkey, after India defeated China in the Chennai Asia Cup, August 2007.

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