The Directorate of Education has announced the final selection trials for the island school archery team in the Under-17 category, ahead of the 69th SGFI National School Archery Championship, scheduled to be held in Ranchi, Jharkhand, in the third week of November 2025.
According to the Directorate, the final round of trials will take place on October 27 at Netaji Stadium from 3 PM onwards. The trials will determine the final list of archers, both boys and girls, who will represent the Andaman and Nicobar Islands at the upcoming national event.
Eligibility criteria require that participants be bona fide students of recognized government or private schools, studying in Class 6 to 12, and born on or after January 1, 2009. Interested students have been advised to attend the trials in proper sports kit and carry essential documents, including a photo-attested Bonafide Certificate, copy of birth certificate, bank details, Aadhaar card, and previous year’s marks statement.
The annual School Games Federation of India (SGFI) championship remains one of the most prestigious sporting platforms for school-level athletes, providing young talent an opportunity to compete at the national level. For students from the islands, participation in such tournaments is often viewed as a gateway to broader exposure and future athletic development.
The Directorate’s decision to conduct a structured selection trial underscores its commitment to transparency and merit-based representation. Coaches and officials supervising the process will evaluate participants on a range of parameters, including shooting accuracy, posture, consistency, and composure under competition conditions.
Archery, traditionally considered one of the more technical disciplines, demands precision, focus, and mental endurance. Over the years, students from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have steadily improved their performances in this sport, with several representing the territory in inter-state and national-level events. The Directorate’s sports cell has been instrumental in nurturing this talent through coaching camps and structured physical education programs.
The forthcoming trials are expected to draw participation from a diverse pool of schools across the islands, including those from remote areas. This reflects both the growing reach of sports education and the Directorate’s efforts to promote inclusivity. Officials said the selection process will be conducted in a fair and systematic manner, ensuring that all deserving candidates get an equal opportunity to qualify for the final team.
Participation in the national championship also offers a valuable platform for young athletes to understand the discipline and rigor of competitive sports. Exposure to national-level competition often helps students develop confidence, teamwork, and sportsmanship—skills that extend well beyond the field.
In recent years, the Education Department, in collaboration with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, has expanded its efforts to identify and support talented students in multiple disciplines, from athletics and football to martial arts and archery. The emphasis on school-level trials has helped standardize the process of talent identification and encouraged regular training at the grassroots level.
With the national championship only weeks away, preparations are underway to ensure that the selected team receives the necessary guidance and practice before their departure to Ranchi. Officials have indicated that logistical and coaching support will be provided to help the students perform to their potential at the event.
The upcoming trial at Netaji Stadium is expected to mark another step forward for school sports development in the islands, combining competitive spirit with the broader goal of building a strong sporting culture among youth.
