Port Blair, Aug 29: It was joyous occasion for the sportsperson of A&N Islands when they received prizes and trophies from the Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Keshav Chandra, IAS at the valedictory function of week-long sports events organized by the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports in association with Education Department at TGCE auditorium here today. The function also marked the National Sports Day-2022 celebration in Isles, which is celebrated every year on August 29 to commemorate hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand’s birthday. The function was graced by the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports, Ms. Nandini Paliwal, IAS, Adhyaksha, ZPSA, Smt. Pramila Kumari, DGP, Shri Neeraj Thakur IPS, senior Officers of A&N Administration, sportspersons, students and proud parents of prize winners.
Addressing the gathering, especially good number of students present on the occasion, the Chief Secretary stated that sports is an integral part of school curriculum & students should never distance themselves from sporting activities. He urged them to give importance to sports as sports activities not only keeps a person active & fit but also develop one’s overall personality. Sports activities make realize one’s true potential and it also develops qualities like 'never give up’ and ‘never under estimate oneself’, the Chief Secretary remarked.
The Chief Secretary further mentioned that there is no dearth of talents in these Islands. This, he said, is very much evident from the fact that with around four lakh population in Isles, good number of students have been trained and nurtured in sports. These students brought medals representing our Islands at the National and International level competitions and the credits should go to SAI/ coaches for providing good training to the students. The Chief Secretary also complimented noted chess player from Isles, Ms. Kashthuri Bhai for her impressive performances in chess at National & International events.
The Chief Secretary complimented the Sports Department for organizing various competitions as part of the ‘National Sports Day’ celebrations and thanked the parents for encouraging the students to participate in the sports events. He felicitated outstanding sports personalities of A&N Islands for their contribution in sports. They included David Beckham, Esow Alben, Sandhya Kispota, Rajina Kiro, Arpita Das, Neta Sarkar, Neelam Minj, R. Kashthuri Bhai, KP Mammu and Subendu Sengupta.
The Chief Secretary also gave away prizes to the winners and runner up of week-long sports events in different disciplines conducted by the Sports Department in collaboration with Education Department.
Earlier, in her welcome address, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Sports, Ms. Nandini Paliwal said, a series of competitions in different disciplines were organized from August 22 as part of National Sports Day-2022 celebration. A good number of students and others participated in the events and won prizes, she added. The Secretary Sports, Ms. Veditha Reddy proposed the vote of thanks on the occasion.
The winners of week-long sports events in different discipline organized as part of the National Sports Day celebrations-2022 were also felicitated on the occasion. In the Table Tennis (Open Men’s Single), Surya Kumar remained winner while in the doubles the duo Anil Reddy &B. Murugan were the winners. In the table tennis (Open Women’s Single), Tripti Mondal won the first prize while in the doubles, the duo of Tripti Mondal and Jessie were the winners. In Badminton, (Boy Singles), Abhinav Ryan Shiju won the singles title while A. Anitha won the Girls Singles title.
Similarly, in the 5KM road Race open for Women, Kalai Arasi of (GSSS Wimberlygunj) stood first while Rana Monda of (GSS South Point) remained winner in the 10KM road race for Men. In the Cycle Race (10KM open Men), Emessonlisb stood first while Kathleen Geeta stood first in (5KM for open Women) cycle race. In Swimming Butterfly (Open Group), Saw Cheku stood first.