On June 10, the historic Museum Theatre witnessed an evening that celebrated sport and those who have contributed to its growth. Three sports administrators — Aadhav Arjuna, Tamil Nadu Minister for Public Works and Sports Development; Marie Wilson, State Minister for Finance, Planning and Development; and J. C. D. Prabhakar, Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and former president of the All India Chess Federation — were felicitated by the Tamil Nadu Chess Association (TNSCA) and Tamil Nadu Table Tennis Association (TNTTA).

D. V. Sundar, patron of the TNTTA, lauded the contributions of the three dignitaries.

Aadhav, a former State-level basketball player and a passionate sportsman has always been a strong supporter of athletes and sporting initiatives. Wilson, chairman of Jeppiaar Institute of Technology and a former basketball player, has also remained closely connected with sports. Prabhakar played a key role in bringing the historic World Chess Championship match between Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand to Chennai in 2013.

Recalling his days as a student of the Sports Hostel, Aadhav said, “Sports gave me everything. As a son who lost his parents early, receiving scholarship at sports hostel of Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and gaining admission through the sports quota at Madras Christian College was possible through sports.”

At heart, Aadhav said, he remains a sportsperson and assured athletes that his doors would always remain open to them.

“People call me BFI (Basketball Federation of India) president, Sports Minister. But I remain a sportsperson even today. I wake up at 4.30 a.m. and go to the Nehru Stadium,” he said.

Aadhav said the Government would give greater importance to sports in school education in the coming years.

Wilson, recalling his own journey, said he was a basketball player before becoming chairman of the Jeppiaar Group.

“Before I became a minister, not many knew me. I was a basketball player who played alongside Aadhav. Now, I am an educationist who has given admission to 3,000 sportspersons. All because I love sports,” he said.

Wilson advised students to maintain a balance between sports and academics, adding that the Government would extend strong support to the sporting community.

Prabhakar said the State Government would provide a major impetus to sports in the days ahead.

It was, in every sense, an evening where sport took centre stage and cast its spell on everyone present.

Rajmohan Arumugam, Minister for School Education, Tamil Development, Information and Publicity; Vita Dani, Chairperson, Ultimate Table Tennis, co-owner, Chennaiyin Football Club; P. R. Venketrama Raja, Chairman, Ramco Group; Manuel Aaron, India’s first Arjuna Awardee (chess); M. Manickam, Chairman, Sakthi Group and president, TNSCA; and Ishari K. Ganesh, president, Tamil Nadu Olympic Association were among those present.