Tribal students from the Nancowry zone, representing some of the most remote islands of the Nicobar group, have drawn attention for their strong showing at the XXIV State School Games 2025, securing multiple medals and earning recognition for their discipline and determination. The achievements of students from Chowra, Teressa, Katchal, Kamorta and Nancowry were formally acknowledged at a felicitation ceremony held in Sri Vijaya Puram.
The students’ performance at the State School Games was seen as a significant moment for the Nicobar region, where geographical isolation and limited access to sporting infrastructure often pose challenges. Despite these constraints, the participants demonstrated competitive excellence, contributing to an overall medal tally that brought pride to their schools and communities.
To mark the occasion, a felicitation ceremony was hosted by Rani Fatima of Nancowry along with Prince Rashid at Rani House in Sri Vijaya Puram. The event brought together tribal students and teachers from the Central Nicobar region, creating a space to acknowledge collective effort behind the sporting success. During the ceremony, students and teachers were presented with mementoes and certificates in recognition of their achievements at the state-level competition.
The gathering highlighted the sustained effort and commitment required to nurture sports talent in remote island settings. Students were recognised not only for winning medals but also for the discipline, perseverance and resilience they displayed while competing far from home. Teachers accompanying the students were also acknowledged for their role in guiding and motivating young athletes through training and competition.
The Rani family, while addressing the gathering, conveyed appreciation for the consistent work put in by Physical Education Teachers, Headmasters and Assistant Sports Supervisors involved in preparing the students for the State School Games. Their contribution was noted as central to identifying talent early and ensuring that students from distant islands receive structured coaching and exposure to competitive sports.
The role of the Department of Education in supporting these efforts was also acknowledged during the ceremony. Officials and educators associated with the schools in the Nicobar region have been working to strengthen sports education, often under logistical constraints linked to transport, infrastructure and communication across islands. The success at the State School Games was seen as a reflection of these sustained institutional efforts.
For many students from Chowra, Teressa, Katchal, Kamorta and Nancowry, participation in the State School Games represented a rare opportunity to compete beyond their local settings. Their performance has been viewed as an encouraging sign for the future of school sports in the Nicobar Islands, particularly in terms of inclusion and representation at higher levels of competition.
Educators present at the ceremony noted that recognition and public acknowledgement play an important role in motivating students from remote areas to pursue sports alongside academics. Such achievements, they said, can inspire younger students in the region to participate in organised sports and aspire to compete at district and state levels.
The felicitation event concluded with a renewed emphasis on the need to continue investing in school-level sports development in the Nicobar region. The success of the Nancowry zone students at the XXIV State School Games 2025 has been seen as both a milestone and a reminder of the potential that exists in the islands when structured support, guidance and opportunity come together.
