TN political parties lean on sports to draw young voters

Chennai: For S Harini, 22, daughter of a construction worker from Karur, and M Shree Bhavana, 23, whose father is a farmer from the same district, stepping onto the judo mat and into the boxing ring was once a distant dream owing to financial hardship. Today, both have competed at the national level, backed by state support, and secured govt jobs as well.Their journeys reflect not just individual success stories, but a broader policy continuum shaped by successive govts. While the AIADMK regime (2016–2021) expanded infrastructure, grassroots participation, and talent identification systems, the DMK govt has accelerated welfare delivery, incentives, and job linkages.Both parties have highlighted sports and youth welfare in their manifestos. It's being viewed as a political tool that links employment, infrastructure, and the overall aspirations of lower and middle-income families. From an electoral standpoint, sports policy could help play a supporting role, especially in tightly contested urban constituencies, with a high share of first-time voters and lower-income groups. Nearly 300 sportspersons, including Harini and Shree Bhavana, have secured govt jobs under the 3% sports quota in recent years. Though the GO for the 3% reservation was passed in 2019 when Edappadi K Palaniswami was CM, it could not take off fully due to Covid. Sportspersons began reaping the benefits post-pandemic when the DMK came to power.The infrastructure push reinforces this narrative. Since 2021, TN has built 141 mini stadiums, alongside facilities such as the Tamil Nadu Centre for Sports Science and the Dr Kalaignar Centenary Boxing Academy. In Chennai, investments have been concentrated in North Chennai under the Vadachennai Valarchi Thittam, aimed at addressing regional disparities and strengthening political outreach.Areas such as RK Nagar, Kolathur, Vyasarpadi, and Perambur have seen new playgrounds, football turfs, boxing centres, and indoor complexes. The Kalaignar Centenary Sports Complex in Korukkupet stands out as a flagship facility.Observers say this focus is strategic, given North Chennai's dense working-class population and electoral significance. "There is a renewed focus on sports in North Chennai. A superior quality stadium has come up in R K Nagar. We have created boxing, football, and swimming facilities and made sports accessible for all. GCC, SDAT and CMDA have set up gyms and upgraded playgrounds," said CMDA minister P K Sekarbabu. Officials say the state's approach goes beyond infrastructure. Incentive payouts, once delayed by up to two years, have been streamlined. Improvements began under the EPS govt, but accelerated after 2022. "Even under former chief ministers M Karunanidhi and J Jayalalithaa, there was interest in promoting sports, but delays persisted. The delivery improved under the EPS-led govt, when the time taken to disburse incentives for national and international achievements was reduced. However, a significant acceleration came after 2022 when Udhayanidhi Stalin took over sports development dept," said T N Raghu, a veteran sports journalist. The state has also expanded international exposure, equipment support, and successfully hosted global events such as the Chess Olympiad and international hockey tournaments.