Port Blair, April 17: Impressive march past by participating contingents, colourful cultural programme and unveiling of championship trophy marked the grand inauguration of the XXII State School Games & 7th State level competition for CWSN at the historic Netaji Stadium here today. Being organised by the Directorate of Education, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Education/ Sports), A&N Administration, Shri Nikhil Kumar, IAS hoisted the Meet Flag and declared open the school Games as the chief guest.
In his address on the occasion, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary expressed happiness that he got an opportunity to inaugurate this much awaited event. Acknowledging that about 900 students from different Educational Zones have come to participate in the event, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary described this event as a big sports event as it provides a platform for the students to showcase their talent with full energy. He also urged the participants to participate in the events with true sportsmanship spirit and take maximum benefit from this sports event.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary further stated that sports are essential for students' overall growth and development. Playing various sports helps them teach life skills such as teamwork, leadership, accountability, patience, and self-confidence and prepares them to face various challenges in life, he added. He further said sports are encouraged in all level in our Country. The Fit India and Khelo India programme has been devised to enable the students and citizens to take part in sports activities, he said.
Mentioning that sports events are very popular in A&N Islands, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary mentioned that there is no dearth of talent in sports in Isles. This, he said, is evident as our Island sports persons have brought laurels in the National and International level competitions. The Administration is making best efforts to provide all kinds of facilities for the sportspersons of these Islands to excel in the field of sports. He also urged the Physical Education teachers to identify sports talents and motivate them towards sports activities. He also praised the impressive cultural programme presented by the students of GSSS Bathubasti and SSS Nirmala.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary also released the Championship Trophy and technical bulletin on the occasion. He also gave away the medals to the winners of the inaugural events i.e. 100 Mtrs Sprint for Boys and 200 Mtrs Sprint for Girls.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest and others present on the occasion, the Secretary (Education/ Sports), Shri Yash Chaudhary, IAS, informed that XXII State School Games is being held after a gap of 3 years. Approximately 990 participants, 250 Officials and escorting teachers from Diglipur to Campbell Bay are participating in the mega event, he said adding that events like this would hone their skills to perform well in the national and International sports arena. The Secretary further informed that competitions have also been arranged for Children With Special Needs (CWSN) which is a golden opportunity for them to showcase their talent in sports and our concern and care for such children.
Proposing vote of thanks, the Director (Education), Shri Aditya Kumar Jha acknowledged the valuable support and co-operation of various Departments for making the opening ceremony of the school games a grand success. He said that different competitions will be organised during the school games which will continue upto April 21.
Earlier, in the morning, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary lit the Sports & Games Torch from the premises of Secretariat.
In the inaugural event i.e 100 mtrs sprint for boys, Rohit Shil of Diglipur bagged the Gold Medal while Paul Benington of Car Nicobar bagged the Silver medal and Adal James of Little Andaman secured Bronze Medal.
Similarly, in the 200 Mtrs sprint for Girls, I.S. Bridney of Car Nicobar bagged the Gold Medal while Athifa of Wimberlygunj bagged Silver medal and Faith of Port Blair secured the Bronze medal.