News Tamil Nadu

AIADMK Spokie Kovai Sathyan Blasts DMK Over Chennai F4 Race, Questions Udhayanidhi’s Motives

September 4, 2024
The Commune

AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan has strongly criticized the DMK regime for the recently concluded Formula 4 race in Chennai. Sathyan expressed skepticism about the motives behind the event, raising serious concerns and questioning its purpose. He asserted that the race appeared to be a strategic move by Udhayanidhi Stalin to venture into the race car business rather than genuine concern for the sport.

Kovai Sathyan, through his official X account, posted a video raising several questions about the recent Formula 4 race in Chennai. His first question addressed by party General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami inquired why a new racing event was conducted when there is already a racing ground in Irungattukottai. Sathyan questioned the necessity of blocking pathways to hospitals and railway stations for this event and is awaiting a response.

In his second point, Sathyan referred to an article published on 13 August 2024, in an English newspaper, which reported that javelin athletes at the National Javelin Day competition in Tirupur on 2 August 2024, were forced to compete on a poorly maintained mud track, raising concerns about safety and potential injuries. He criticized the lack of proper facilities for track and field events, such as javelin, shot put, and discus throw, emphasizing that these sports require synthetic tracks for adequate practice.

Kovai Sathyan noted that while Nehru Stadium, established by J. Jayalalithaa is used for football due to ongoing work, there are no alternative grounds available for track and field sports. Despite numerous petitions to the Tamil Nadu Athletic Association and the Tamil Nadu State Development Authority, where DMK scion Udhayanidhi is chairperson, there has been no response. He questioned whether it is fair to prioritize elite, luxury events like the car race while basic amenities for common sports are lacking.

Sathyan elaborated on the Formula 4 race, emphasizing that it is not just an expensive sport but one that requires significant financial investment. He noted that the racing sport typically targets participants aged 15 to 22. Sathyan questioned whether it is feasible for someone in India to obtain a racing license at 15, as licenses are generally issued by organizations like America’s SCCA, which may not be accessible here. He pointed out that while countries like Germany and firms such as ROKiT British F4 issue licenses to younger drivers, there is no similar procedure in Tamil Nadu. Additionally, he highlighted the exorbitant costs associated with the sport ranging from $180,000 to $250,000 (approximately ₹1.5 crore to ₹3 crore)—which restricts participation to those with substantial financial resources. Even the prize money for winning is relatively modest compared to the costs, amounting to $25,000 (several lakhs in Indian currency). Sathyan criticized the DMK for focusing on such an elite event while common sports like volleyball and kabaddi lack basic infrastructure.

In his third point, Sathyan questioned the Tamil Nadu government’s involvement in the event, pointing out that it was organized by a private entity investing ₹200 crore. He accused the DMK of pursuing business motives rather than serving public interests, labeling them as both corrupt and commercially driven.

Sathyan further criticized the event’s organizing company, Racing Promotions Private Limited, which started in Chennai in 2018. He likened the company’s operations to the IPL in cricket, where wealthy Bollywood stars and former cricketers own franchises. Examples include the Hyderabad Black Birds owned by Naga Chaitanya, Goa Aces owned by John Abraham, Speed Demons Delhi franchise owned by Arjun Kapoor, and Kolkata Royal Tigers owned by Sourav Ganguly.

Sathyan questioned whether Udhayanidhi Stalin might also pursue a franchise, either personally or through his family, given the parallels to IPL-style franchise ownership. He asserted that the DMK’s involvement in this racing event is a strategic move by Udhayanidhi Stalin to enter the race car franchise business, potentially funded by taxpayers’ money.

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