MK Stalin said the cricketer, who hailed from a humble background, rose to become a national icon through his hard work.
TN CM MK Stalin with Dhoni and Udhay Stalin. (Twitter)
Chief Minister MK Stalin, who launched the Tamil Nadu Championship Foundation, an initiative of the sports department, in Chennai on Monday, 8 May, said his government wanted to create many Dhonis in cricket and all sports.
The foundation, which will serve as an ideal springboard for sports promotion in the state, is a public-private partnership venture.
A total of ₹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 3 May, 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, the Chief Minister announced a contribution of ₹5 lakh from his funds towards the foundation.
#TamilNadu_Champions_Foundation #களம்நமதே @mkstalin @SportsTN_ @msdhoni @TThenarasu pic.twitter.com/AlBFe0lpCg
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) May 8, 2023
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 the youth in the state.
(Disclaimer: The headline, subheads, and intro of this report along with the photos may have been reworked by South First. The rest of the content is from a syndicated feed, and has been edited for style.)
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