NE SPORTS BUREAU
CHENNAI, MAY 9
Heaping praise on cricketer MS Dhoni and calling him as adopted son, Chief Minister M K Stalin, who launched the Tamil Nadu Championship Foundation, an initiative of the sports department, here on Monday said his government wanted to create many MS Dhoni’s in cricket and all sports.
- Popular cricketer MS Dhoni launched the logo and portal of the Tamil Nadu Championship Foundation, which is a unique initiative of the sports department
- Like everyone in Tamil Nadu, I am also a very big fan of MS Dhoni: CM
My heartfelt thanks to Hon'ble CM @mkstalin for inaugurating the Tamil Nadu Champions Foundation & his generous contribution of Rs.5 Lakhs towards the initiative. We also extend our sincere thanks to Thiru @msdhoni for launching the foundation's logo and website. With this… pic.twitter.com/ILrlwf1pdd
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) May 8, 2023
The foundation, which will serve as an ideal springboard for sports promotion in the state, is a public-private partnership venture. A total of Rs 23.50 crore has been received as a contribution, including the government’s share, within five days of the pre-launch of the event on May 3, Youth Welfare and Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said.
Popular cricketer MS Dhoni launched the logo and portal of the foundation, which is a unique initiative of the sports department.
A logo and mascot for the Chief Minister’s trophy besides a theme song were also unveiled on the occasion.
”Like everyone in Tamil Nadu, I am also a very big fan of MS Dhoni. Recently, I went to Chepauk (cricket stadium) twice to watch Dhoni’s batting. I hope our adopted son of Tamil Nadu will continue to play for CSK,” the Chief Minister said on the occasion.
Commending Dhoni for his spectacular rise, Stalin said the cricketer who hailed from a humble background rose to become a national icon through his hard work. ”He is an inspiration to millions of youth.” ”That’s why he is the ambassador of this unique initiative (TN Championship Foundation). We want to create many more Dhonis from our Tamil Nadu, not just in cricket but in all sports,” Stalin said.
Responding to a plea made by his son and Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Chief Minister announced a contribution of Rs 5 lakh from his own funds towards the foundation.
Earlier, Udhayanidhi gave the assurance that he would take all efforts to make the state ”a sports power of the Indian subcontinent”.
He exuded hope that the foundation would identify and nurture talent among youth in the state.
