Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug. 28: The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, A&N Administration is celebrating National Sports Day 2025, commemorating the birth anniversary of Hockey Wizard Major Dhyan Chand. As part of the celebration, the Andaman & Nicobar Khel Mahotsav – Fit India Torch Relay is organized across all three districts of the Islands under the theme “Har Dweep, Har Kinara – Khele Sara Andaman Nicobar.”
During the 79th Independence Day ceremony at Netaji Stadium, Sri Vijaya Puram, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, A&N Islands and Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency, launched three Olympic-style “Flame of Fitness” torches, each symbolising one of the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect. Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration and Ms Amar Jyoti, Regional Director, Sports Authority of India, Kolkata were also present in the said event.
Each of the three torches were entrusted to distinguished athletes representing one of the three districts of the Islands, carrying the flame of fitness across Nicobar, South Andaman, and North & Middle Andaman District by way of cycling, running, and ship.
Nicobar District (Torch–1):
The torch covered Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Nancowry, Katchal, Teressa, and Campbell Bay, with the enthusiastic participation of 3,875 students, 1,500 community members, and 370 teachers/officials. In total, 22 schools were covered and the torch travelled a distance of 176 km.
South Andaman District (Torch–2):
Starting from Netaji Stadium and moving up to North Bay, the torch relay passed through all Government, Private, and Aided schools. A total of 8,150 students, 1,050 community members, and 560 teachers/officials participated in the relay. It covered 80 schools in all, travelling a distance of 142 km.
North & Middle Andaman District (Torch–3):
The torch traversed Rangat, Mayabunder, and Diglipur zones, witnessing the participation of 7,449 students, 1,894 community members, and 750 teachers/ officials. Covering 60 schools, the torch travelled a distance of 310 km.
Across all three districts, a total of 19,474 students, 4,544 community members, and 1,940 teachers, officials, and athletes participated in the Torch Relay. In the process, the relay covered 225 schools and travelled a combined distance of 505 kilometres, bringing the overall participation to an impressive 25,958 individuals, including 62% of Girl Child and women, distinguished sportspersons, students, teachers, officers, parents, PRI members, and the general public, showcasing the collective spirit and passion for fitness and sports in the Islands.
In connection with National Sports Day 2025, the Directorate of Sports in collaboration with the Education Department has organized a series of following sporting events from 19th August to 28th August, 2025:
Archery Competition: 56 athletes participated in Men’s Open, U19 & U14 Boys Category while 32 participated in Women’s Open, U19 & U14 Girls Category.
In Men’s Category 50 & 30 Meters Range: Shri. Jaspal Singh secured Gold Medal and Shri. Bubson Godwin secured Silver Medal while in Women’s Category wherein Ms. Sangita Kindo secured Gold Medal and Ms. Lalita secured Silver Medal.
In 30 & 20 Meters Range U19 Boys Category: Shri. M. Naga Shri Vardhan secured Gold Medal, Shri. J.Dharmesh Kumar secured Silver Medal and Shri. S.Sakthivel secured Bronze Medal while in U19 Girls Category, Ms. Daksheya Kumerasan secured Gold Medal, Ms. Trishna Balan secured Silver Medal and Ms. Phighar secured Bronze Medal.
In 30 & 20 Meters Range U14 Boys Category: Shri. Adithya Singh secured Gold Medal, Shri. Vikyath Kumar secured Silver Medal and Shri. Kanak Chowdhary secured Bronze Medal while in U14 Girls Category, N.U.Sabira secured Gold Medal, Ms. Taniksha Swarnakar secured Silver Medal and Ms. M.Gopika Sri secured Bronze Medal.
Badminton Tournament (Open Men & Women Doubles): 12 Teams participated in Men’s Doubles wherein Shri. D.Thirumurugan & Shri. G.Sandeep won the finals while 08 Teams participated in Women’s Doubles wherein Ms. A.Anitha & Ms. A.Rachel won the finals.
Basketball Tournament (Open Men & Women): 08 Teams participated in Men’s Category wherein Minnie Bay Tigers Team won the finals while 04 Teams participated in Women’s Category wherein Jolly Girls won the finals.
Cycling-20 Km (Men) & 10 Km (Women): 18 Cyclists participated in Men’s Category wherein Shri. R. Saket secured Gold Medal, Shri. Asim Kujur secured Silver Medal and Shri. Amir secured Bronze Medal. While 05 Cyclist participated in Women’s Category wherein Ms. Faith secured Gold Medal, Ms. Anushika Lal secured Silver Medal and Ms. Sudhiksha secured Bronze Medal.
Football Tournament (Open Men & Women): 13 Teams participated in Men’s Category wherein AB-11 Team won the finals while 03 Teams participated in Women’s Category wherein PBFC Team won the finals.
Hockey Tournament (Open Men & Women): 05 Teams participated in Men’s Category wherein Garacharma Team won the finals while 02 Teams participated in Women’s Category wherein State Sports Council won the finals.
Marathon 3.0:
1) Under Boys 10 Km Category – Shri. K Harshit Paul secured gold medal, Shri Hari Karan secured silver medal and Shri. Ganesh Kumar secured bronze.
2) Under Girls 5 Km Category – Ms. Abhinayashree secured gold medal, Ms Riya Munda secured silver medal and Ms Priti Barwa secured bronze medal.
3) Under Men’s 3 Km category – Shri. Divakar Raj secured gold medal and Shri. M Shahbaj secured silver medal.
4) Under Women’s 3 KM CwSN category – Ms. Anju Muskan secured gold medal.
Table Tennis Tournament (Open Men & Women doubles): 16 Teams participated in Men’s Doubles wherein Shri. P.Surya Kumar & Shri. Tabriaz Hussain won the finals while 04 Teams participated in Women’s Doubles wherein Ms. Jessi & Ms. Venkat Laxmi won the finals.
Swimming Competition (Open Men & Women):
1) In 100 Meters Free Style Men’s Final: Shri. Mantush Roy secured Gold Medal, Shri. Sawcheku secured Silver Medal and Shri. Ruhan Gawtam secured Bronze Medal.
2) In 100 Meters Backstroke Men’s Final: Shri. Krishna Ram secured Gold Medal, Shri. Kasiswar Hawlader secured Silver Medal and Shri. Ruhan Gawtam secured Bronze Medal.
3) In 100 Meters Free Style Women’s Final: Ms. P.Seharish Hussain secured Gold Medal, Ms. Ramiya secured Silver Medal and Ms. Ziya Zubair secured Bronze Medal.
4) In 100 Meters Backstroke Women’s Final: Ms. P.Seharish Hussain secured Gold Medal, Ms. Ziya Zubair secured Silver Medal and Ms. Ramiya secured Bronze Medal.
Volleyball Tournament (Open Men & Women): 11 Teams participated in Men’s Category wherein Seva Bharat Team won the finals while 05 Teams participated in Women’s Category wherein Island Valkyries Team won the finals.
The winners of the above tournaments will be awarded with trophies and medals on the valedictory function at Netaji Stadium tomorrow (Aug. 29). Further, as per the SOP of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, the following events will also be organised on 30th & 31st August, 2025 to culminate the Mahotsav:
Open Category Events on 30.08.2025: 1) Tug of war for men & women, 2) 50 Mtr Race for men & women, 3) Spoon race for men & women, 4) Sack race for men & women and 5) Rope skipping for men & women.
Event for Senior Citizen on 31.08.2025: 1) 300 Mtr speed walk for men & women, 2) 01 Km walk for men & Women, 3) Cycling for men & women and 4) Yoga for men and women.
The Fit India Andaman Nicobar Khel Mahotsav 2025, organised by the Department of Sports & Youth Affairs and Department of Education, A&N Administration in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has emerged as a landmark initiative, uniting thousands of students, teachers, athletes, and community members across the Islands.
With the successful journey of the three torches symbolising the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect, the Mahotsav has not only celebrated National Sports Day 2025 but also inspired a renewed culture of sports, fitness, and inclusivity. The ongoing series of sporting events and the upcoming activities are expected to further strengthen the message of discipline, healthy living, and Island-wide participation in sports.