A contingent of six para-athletes from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has departed from Port Blair to participate in the 24th National Para Athletics Championship 2025–26, scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from March 19 to March 21.
The athletes will represent the islands in the national-level championship, which brings together para-sportspersons from across the country to compete in various track and field events. Their participation reflects the increasing involvement of athletes with disabilities from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in national sporting competitions.
Officials associated with the team said the contingent includes six athletes who will compete in different events during the championship. The athletes left from Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair and are expected to join competitors from several states and union territories at the three-day national event.
B. Albakka, Mukhya Sevika of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Ferrargunj Project currently posted at Bamboo Flat, said the islands have been sending para-athletes to national competitions since 2021. She noted that the team has already secured two national medals in earlier competitions.
According to Albakka, three new athletes have joined the team this year, including two visually impaired children. Their inclusion, she said, reflects efforts to encourage wider participation among para-athletes and create opportunities for young players with disabilities to compete at the national level.
She added that the athletes are aiming to perform strongly in the championship and bring recognition to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Sports, she said, provide an important platform for persons with disabilities to demonstrate their abilities and pursue excellence beyond perceived limitations.
Members of the local sporting community also extended their support to the team before departure. A state-level Olympian currently posted at Gymkhana Ground conveyed her best wishes to the athletes and highlighted the importance of national competitions in shaping the careers of sportspersons.
She referred to athlete M. Bhavani as an example of emerging sporting talent from the islands. Bhavani is currently undergoing training at a camp in Bengaluru in preparation for the Asian Championship and is expected to join the team later in Bhubaneswar.
Bhavani has previously earned recognition by winning a silver medal in the 100-metre race and a gold medal in the long jump, achievements that brought sporting distinction to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Olympian emphasised that participation in national competitions is a crucial step for athletes, regardless of immediate results. Competing at higher levels allows players to gain experience, improve their performance and continue striving for future success.
The participation of para-athletes from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in national championships has gradually increased in recent years, reflecting expanding opportunities for athletes with disabilities. As the team heads to Bhubaneswar, there is growing expectation that the athletes will perform strongly and continue representing the islands on the national stage.
