The Inter-Primary School Football League-cum-Knockout Tournament 2026 concluded in South Andaman after twelve days of competition, with the final matches drawing attention for their closely contested outcomes and spirited performances by young players.
Organised by the Deputy Education Office, South Andaman, the tournament was held at the GSSS Girls Ground and saw participation from schools across the South Andaman zone. The concluding day on February 18 featured final matches in both boys’ and girls’ categories, marking the end of an extended schedule aimed at promoting sports participation at the primary school level.
In the boys’ category final, GMS Dollygunj edged past GSS South Point through a tiebreaker, winning 5-4 after the match ended in a draw during regular play. The contest was marked by sustained pressure from both teams, reflecting the competitive standard maintained throughout the tournament.
The girls’ category final saw PM SHRI GSSS Prothrapur secure a decisive 4-0 victory over PM SHRI GSSS Garacharma. The match highlighted coordinated team play and effective execution, as Prothrapur maintained control from the early stages of the game.
Officials from the Directorate of Education attended the final matches, with the occasion marked by the presence of senior officers associated with school education and sports development. The winning and runner-up teams in both categories were felicitated at the conclusion of the matches.
The tournament was structured to encourage regular exposure to organised sports among schoolchildren, with organisers emphasising teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship as key objectives. Over the course of the league, schools participated in multiple matches, providing students with sustained competitive experience rather than one-off fixtures.
Alongside the football matches, appreciation certificates were distributed to schools that contributed to cultural programmes and band troop performances during the First CRC Level Annual Athletic Meet 2026. Officials said the inclusion of cultural activities was intended to promote holistic development alongside physical education.
Education department officials noted that such tournaments play a role in identifying sporting talent at an early stage while also fostering interest in physical fitness among students. The inter-school format was seen as particularly effective in building competitive spirit and peer learning.
The league-cum-knockout structure allowed teams to progress through multiple rounds, ensuring consistent engagement over the twelve-day period. Teachers and coaches accompanying the teams observed that regular match exposure helped students improve coordination, strategy and confidence.
The conclusion of the tournament marked the culmination of a busy sports calendar for primary schools in the zone, with officials indicating that similar events would continue to be part of co-curricular programming. Emphasis, they said, remains on integrating sports into the broader educational framework.
The Inter-Primary School Football League has, over successive editions, become a regular platform for school-level football in South Andaman. Organisers said the 2026 edition reaffirmed the role of structured competitions in nurturing young talent and sustaining interest in sports at the grassroots level.
