Chennai: In the past eight years, Tamil Nadu has got 29.5 crore under Khelo India, as compared to 605 crore for Gujarat, 509 crore for Uttar Pradesh, and 180 crore each for Himachal and Haryana. Rajasthan completed 15 indoor halls with football courts and tracks. Arunachal Pradesh completed 21 projects, including 18 indoor multi-purpose halls. Gujarat walked away with 580 crore for a single stadium. Due to poor allocation and rejection of projects, Tamil Nadu could only complete synthetic tracks at Vandalur, Thanjavur, Erode, and Salem, and a swimming pool at the State Sports University in Melakottaiyur during the past eight years. Last year, Tamil Nadu submitted 12 fresh proposals for major infrastructure projects, including multi-purpose stadiums in Cuddalore, Thiruvarur, and Tuticorin, and a hockey field in Tuticorin. Several others involve athletic tracks. None of these projects has been approved so far.According to Khelo India’s website, funding is based on project viability and the number of administrative districts, not on state quotas. But Tamil Nadu officials argue that identical projects in other states received swift approvals in large numbers, while theirs remain pending. “Indoor halls are being sanctioned for hilly states such as Himachal and Arunachal, which have fewer medal-winning athletes and limited sporting disciplines. Tamil Nadu has more districts and broader participation in national events. What’s the logic behind denying us funds,” a senior sports department official asked.At the 38th national games held this year, TN ranked sixth with 92 medals, including 27 golds — a 20% increase from 2023, when the state stood 10th. “We compete in a wide range of disciplines — even winning silver and bronze in yogasanas. Yet our infrastructure needs are overlooked,” the official added.SDAT Chennai district coach D Vinoth said indoor stadiums are crucial to train athletes for international indoor championships. “While Nehru Stadium has such training facilities, districts don’t. We can develop more districts if we get funding,” he said.Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said this shows gross disparity in allocations, hurting the aspirations of youngsters in sports. “Tamil Nadu has done well in national games compared to many other states, and it deserves its rightful share. I will take this up in parliament,” he said. In 2024, Tamil Nadu sports minister Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised the Centre on X, calling the Khelo India allocations “a great injustice” and accusing the BJP Union govt of discrimination against states that did not vote for it.