The announcement came as Vijay praised the Indian men’s badminton squad for securing the bronze medal at the Asian Games, which are being staged in Japan. He specifically highlighted the contribution of Tamil Nadu’s own Hariharan, a member of the medal‑winning team.
Hariharan, who has been a beneficiary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu’s ‘ELITE sportsperson scheme’, will receive the ₹30 lakh cash reward from the state government in recognition of his achievement.
In a post on the social media platform X, Vijay affirmed that the Tamil Nadu government will “always stand by the dreams of sportspersons,” underscoring the state’s commitment to supporting athletes financially and morally.
The incentive is expected to serve as an inspiration for young athletes across Tamil Nadu, reinforcing the message that sporting excellence can be rewarded and encouraging greater participation in competitive sports.