The Sports Authority of India (SAI), STC Sri Vijaya Puram has announced that former trainee Amrita Minj is representing India at the ongoing Asian Rowing Championship 2025, being held in Hai Phong, Vietnam, from October 13 to 19. The achievement marks a proud moment for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, showcasing the region’s growing contribution to national sports.
Hailing from Birsanagar (EFA), Tugapur in North and Middle Andaman, Amrita’s journey to the international stage began in 2017 when she was selected for the SAI Sports Training Centre (STC) at Sri Vijaya Puram. Her selection was based on her exceptional sporting talent, which quickly became evident during her early training sessions.
At the centre, Amrita underwent rigorous coaching under the guidance of experienced mentors who helped her refine her rowing skills and strengthen her technical performance. Over the years, she demonstrated steady progress, earning medals at several national-level competitions and gaining recognition for her dedication and athletic excellence.
Her consistent achievements paved the way for her promotion to the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Alleppey, Kerala, where she received advanced training and exposure to higher-level competition. This transition enabled her to compete against elite athletes and develop the endurance, precision, and discipline required for international events.
Representing India at the Asian Rowing Championship is a milestone in Amrita’s career, reflecting both her personal determination and the success of the sports development framework in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Her participation underscores how local athletes from remote regions can rise to international prominence through structured training and institutional support.
Officials from the SAI STC Sri Vijaya Puram expressed pride in Amrita’s achievement, highlighting it as an inspiration for young athletes across the islands. Her journey, they said, represents the outcome of years of perseverance, guided coaching, and a supportive ecosystem that nurtures raw talent into world-class performance.
The Sports Authority of India’s regional training centres play a crucial role in identifying and grooming sporting potential from smaller regions. For the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, such centres have become incubators of talent, providing opportunities for young sports enthusiasts to access professional-level training, equipment, and mentoring without having to leave the islands at an early age.
Amrita’s story resonates with many aspiring athletes from the archipelago who dream of representing India on the global stage. Her rise from a trainee in a small island centre to a national representative competing in Vietnam is a testament to how sustained effort and institutional backing can overcome geographical and logistical challenges.
Her example also reflects the growing emphasis placed by the administration and the Sports Authority of India on promoting sports as a viable career path for youth in the islands. With her latest international appearance, Amrita joins a growing list of athletes from the region making their mark in competitive sports, demonstrating the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ emerging sporting potential.
The SAI STC Sri Vijaya Puram extended its best wishes to Amrita Minj for her performance at the Asian Rowing Championship, expressing confidence that her participation will motivate more young islanders to pursue excellence in sports.
