CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu is set to strengthen its position as a major sporting and motorsports hub with plans to establish a world-class Olympic City and a dedicated Motor Sports City in Chennai.Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced the projects in the state Assembly on Thursday under Rule 110.The Tamil Nadu Olympic City, to be developed by the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority, will feature international-standard sports arenas, advanced sporting equipment, a High Performance Training Centre and dedicated Sports Science and Sports Medicine centres. It will also include accommodation facilities for sportspersons and coaches.The integrated sports hub is aimed at providing athletes with access to advanced training, competition and support facilities, with the broader goal of helping Tamil Nadu sportspersons win more medals at the Olympics and other international events.A separate Motor Sports City will be developed in Chennai with a state-of-the-art motorsports complex and supporting infrastructure. The facility will be designed to host Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4 races, while also providing training opportunities for aspiring motorsport athletes.The project is expected to help identify and nurture young racing talent and attract major motorsport and automobile manufacturing companies to Tamil Nadu. It could also generate opportunities in tourism, employment and allied economic activities.The announcement comes amid renewed efforts to bring major international motorsport events back to India. In June, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports formed a task force to monitor motorsports in the country, with a vision of bringing Formula 1 back to India by 2028.The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI) has also been pushing for India to host major global events, including Formula 1, MotoGP and a round of the World Rally Championship (WRC).Earlier this year, FMSCI president Arindam Ghosh said discussions with the Union sports ministry and potential stakeholders had focused on bringing F1, MotoGP and WRC to India, along with developing Indian drivers and strengthening the country’s motorsports ecosystem.The proposed Motor Sports City in Chennai could add further momentum to these efforts, while positioning Tamil Nadu as a potential destination for international racing and motorsport-related investment.
