Car Nicobar, May 4: For the first time in the history of Nicobars, the District Administration, Nicobars is conducting the DC Cup-2023, a mini Olympics in collaboration with Nicobar Games and Sports Association (NGSA). A vibrant opening ceremony was held at car Nicobar. The District Administration has a vision to tap sporting potential of Nicobarese by organizing year-long multi sports tournaments.
The opening ceremony started with an Olympic Torch relay race from DC Office, Nicobars to Bishop John Richardson Stadium, Tamaloo. Olympic Torch relay was culminated by Shri Hari Kallikkat, IAS, DC Nicobars sprinting the last stretch and illuminating the Mashal at BJR Stadium and declaring the DC Cup open. Symbolizing the unity of whole Car Nicobar Island, sportspersons from all the 15 villages of Car Nicobar marched in unison with their flag. The DC, Nicobars, graced the opening ceremony cultural programme as chief guest and Chairman Tribal Council as the guest of honour.
A fully packed BJR Stadium saw more than 600 villagers gathered there and supporting and cheering for their team. Colourful cultural programme added further charm to the evening. Traditional songs and dances were performed by school students and villagers showcasing the vibrant culture of Nicobarese. SHG from the Islands were allotted special shops for the event in which multiple SHGs participated with food stalls and local handicrafts.
In his address, the DC Nicobars, highlighted the rich history of Sports in Nicobar Island which has produced many international athletes in multiple sports like Football, Cycling, Weightlifting etc. He stressed on the need to further add to this rich sporting legacy and put Nicobar on the international sporting map. He further stressed on the need to add sports activities in the daily lifestyle for physical and mental wellbeing of individual and asked everyone to join Hon’ble PM’s Fit India Movement. He thanked the tribal Council, NGSA, AC, AC (U/T), various line Departments who are working tirelessly to make this tournament a grand success.
The DC Cup will be a 5 months long tournament including sports events like Cricket, Football, Badminton, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Chess, Cycling, Athletics as well as local sports like Kirip (Wrestling), Hara (similar to Kho Kho), Mock Canoe, Coconut Climbing etc. Each Sport has 100 points to be earned by the teams. At the end, a cumulative point table of all sports will be made and the overall winner of DC Cup Tournament will be declared and awarded with rolling trophy.
The District Administration has a vision to organize various sporting events in single cup to formalize a yearlong calendar. The sports loving Island got an adrenaline rush from the DC Cup where it can be seen every morning and evening, players in all villages have started practicing for the opening Cricket Tournament for which, the schedule has already been handed over to them. Cricket Tournament is witnessing overwhelming response with 22 teams besides the Police, Administration and Air Force teams are also participating in this Sports Carnival bringing the whole Island together.