Indoor sports competitions for schoolgirls and women marked the observance of International Women’s Day in Mayabunder, where the District Administration of North and Middle Andaman organized a series of sporting activities aimed at encouraging participation in sports and promoting awareness about women’s empowerment and well-being.
The programme was held at the Indoor Stadium of the Netaji Sports Complex in Mayabunder and was organized jointly by the District Administration and the One Stop Centre (OSC) of North and Middle Andaman. The event was conducted in collaboration with the Education Department under the Mayabunder Division.
Participants from schools and local communities took part in the competitions, which included several indoor sporting activities. Organizers said the programme was designed to provide a platform for women and girls to engage in sports while also highlighting the importance of physical activity and confidence-building among participants.
The competitions included badminton, carrom, table tennis, chess and passing the ball. Schoolgirls and women from different areas in and around Mayabunder participated in the events, creating an active atmosphere inside the stadium throughout the programme.
Officials said the initiative aimed to bring together participants from different age groups and backgrounds through sports activities that are easily accessible and encourage friendly competition. Indoor sports were selected to ensure participation from both students and adult women.
The programme also served as a platform to raise awareness about women’s empowerment and the role of community initiatives in promoting well-being and social participation. Through activities that combine recreation with engagement, organizers sought to highlight the importance of creating supportive environments where women can participate freely in public activities.
The event witnessed the presence of officials associated with the programme, who interacted with the participants and encouraged them during the competitions. Prizes were distributed to the winners following the completion of the events.
Among those present during the programme were officials from the sports and social welfare sectors, as well as representatives from the One Stop Centre and collaborating organizations. Their participation reflected coordination between departments working on women’s welfare and community programmes in the district.
The One Stop Centre, which functions as a support facility for women in distress, also used the occasion to engage with participants and promote awareness about services available to women. Officials associated with the centre participated in the event and interacted with the participants during the programme.
According to the district administration, the sports activities were organized to mark International Women’s Day by encouraging women and girls to participate in recreational and sporting events in a supportive environment. Events such as badminton and table tennis attracted strong participation from students, while games like carrom and chess saw involvement from both schoolgirls and adult participants.
Passing the ball, which was also included as a recreational activity, drew participation from several groups and added a community-oriented dimension to the event. Organizers noted that such activities help create opportunities for social interaction while encouraging teamwork and participation.
The event concluded with the distribution of prizes to the winners of the various competitions held during the programme. Officials appreciated the participation of students and women who took part in the activities.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Central Administrator of the One Stop Centre of North and Middle Andaman, acknowledging the participation of departments, organizers and participants who contributed to the event.
Officials said the initiative reflects continuing efforts to promote women’s participation in sports and community activities across districts in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Through programmes organized in collaboration with educational institutions and social support centres, the administration aims to encourage greater involvement of women and girls in activities that support physical fitness, confidence and community engagement.
