Phase-I selection trials for the first edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games are underway in Car Nicobar, with the Sports Authority of India–STC Modern Sports Complex at Lapathy serving as one of the key venues for the process. The trials are being conducted by the Department of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs in accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
On January 7, the Director of Education and Sports, Vikram Singh, visited Car Nicobar to review the ongoing arrangements and inspect the football selection trials. During the visit, he interacted with officials and representatives of State Sports Associations, physical education teachers, eminent athletes, and participating sportspersons to assess the conduct of the trials and the preparedness of the athletes.
Addressing those present, the Director outlined the objectives behind the participation of teams from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games, which are tentatively scheduled to be held in Chhattisgarh in February 2026. He said the initiative aims to identify talented tribal sportspersons from the Islands and provide them with a national platform to compete at a higher level.
According to the Director, the upcoming edition of the Tribal Games is being organised on a significantly larger scale on the mainland this year. Teams from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are expected to participate in seven to eight sporting disciplines, including football, hockey, athletics, weightlifting, archery and swimming. The focus of the selection process, he said, is to ensure that players are chosen purely on the basis of raw talent and merit, enabling Island athletes to perform strongly and secure a maximum number of medals.
The Director explained that selection trials are being conducted across different regions of the Islands to ensure wider participation. While football trials are being held in Car Nicobar, the archery and swimming events are being conducted in South Andaman. This arrangement has been made considering that a majority of the participants in archery and swimming are from Little Andaman and Sri Vijaya Puram.
He further stated that teams will be selected in all major disciplines, including football, hockey, athletics and weightlifting, through a structured and transparent selection process. Emphasis has been laid on fair evaluation to ensure that deserving athletes are identified and prepared for the national-level competition.
The visit also included a review of facilities and interactions aimed at motivating young athletes. The Director urged eligible youth across the Islands to actively participate in the selection trials and encouraged them to motivate their peers to take part with enthusiasm. He noted that the Khelo India Tribal Games offer a significant opportunity for tribal sportspersons from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to gain exposure, improve performance standards and represent the Islands on a national stage.
With the Phase-I trials in progress, the Department of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs is continuing its efforts to strengthen grassroots sports development and ensure meaningful participation of Island athletes in the first edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games.
