Wandoor, June 14: Dakshin Foundation and the Andaman Nicobar Environment Team (ANET), in collaboration with the Wandoor Gram Panchayat and local youth, successfully hosted the Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ first-ever mixed-gender football tournament at Wandoor on 14th June 2026, with participation of around 110 children and youth.
The pioneering tournament introduced mixed-gender competition to the islands, requiring teams in the Under-12 and Under-19 categories to include both girls and boys. A total of nine mixed-gender teams participated, with seven teams fielded through Dakshin Foundation’s Sports and Community Wellbeing Programme. Teams were required to have four girls and three boys on the field at all times, promoting equal participation and leadership opportunities.
The event highlighted the progress of Dakshin’s Sports and Community Wellbeing Programme, which has been using sports to promote adolescent health, gender sensitivity, teamwork, and long-term community wellbeing since 2020. Over the past two years, the programme has conducted weekly football coaching sessions in Wandoor and Junglighat, engaging nearly 200 young athletes.
The tournament was graced by the Director of Education of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Aditya Sangotra, who kicked off the Under-19 finals match as Chief Guest. The Wandoor Panchayat Pradhan, Adhir Das, local school teachers, parents, and community youth were also active spectators at the event.
The Under-12 category featured an exhibition match between mixed teams, while the Under-19 category saw seven mixed-gender teams compete. Participants included youth from Dakshin’s sports programme, primarily from Wandoor and Junglighat, playing alongside girls from Sports Authority of India (SAI) football residential programme. The tournament also featured an exhibition match of local young adults from Wandoor, in the Men’s category.
Among the individual award winners in the Under-19 category, Sara Ekka Lakra from SAI emerged as the tournament’s top scorer, netting an impressive eight goals in a single match.
Krishnendu Das was named Best Player for his outstanding performance and leadership on the field. The Spirit Champion Award, which recognized the team that best embodied inclusivity, gender-balanced participation, and teamwork, was presented to Thunder Hawks, for their exemplary mixed-gender leadership and trust among players regardless of gender. In the Under-19 category, Blue Lock FC finished as runners-up, while Titan FC emerged as tournament champions.
More than a football tournament, IslandActive celebrated inclusion, respect, and equal opportunity. The event demonstrated how sport can be a powerful platform for encouraging gender sensitivity, building confidence among young people, and fostering stronger, more inclusive communities.