Port Blair, March 4: Sports Authority of India, Sports Training Centre (STC), Car Nicobar under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has successfully commenced its residential programme from 1st February 2024 at Modern Sports Complex, Lapathy. Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi had inaugurated the Modern Sports Complex on 30th December, 2018 and it was handed over to Sports Authority of India so that eminent sportspersons can be produced from Nicobar. Car Nicobar is the land of most eminent cyclists of the World. Esow Alben, David Beckham, Paul Collingwood, Deborah Herold, Celestina, Emerson and many more international level cyclists have come from Car Nicobar. Of the current cycling contingent that represents India, 80% of them belong to the Car Nicobar Islands.
Nicobar district is the southernmost district of India and one of the remotest and geographically most challenging areas and is classified as a protected tribal area. After being badly affected by the tsunami in 2004, time and again they have showed their strong resilience to fight back the circumstances. The Sports Authority of India Centre will be another milestone which will showcase the resolve of Nicobarese people. Sports have myriad benefits- it improves both physical and mental health, strengthens community bonding, boosts confidence, empowers community and reduces depression. As per NCRB data 2023, Andaman and Nicobar Islands ranks 2nd in terms of highest suicide rate in india with 42.8 per lakh population. Sports can also act as a cure for such gripping mental health issues.
The Executive Director, Eastern Regional Centre, Shri Satyajit Sankrit has expressed optimism to produce more successful sports persons from these talented Nicobar Islands. He congratulated SAI team for operationalization of SAI Training Centre in the southernmost district of India amidst many hardships. The selection trials were conducted in various remote islands like Nancowry, Chowra to scout the talented children at an early age. The SAI STC Car Nicobar will provide holistic sports ecosystem for 360-degree development in cycling and weightlifting discipline. Coaching by expert National level coaches, national-level training infrastructure, individualized sports diet, and high-quality Lodging facilities have been arranged at the STC.
The coaches posted at SAI STC Car Nicobar have produced many international sportspersons.
The Assistant Director, SAI in-charge of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has expressed gratitude towards the District administration of Nicobar District, Tribal Council, NGSA and School administration for their support which fructified the selection trials conducted over a span of many weeks.