The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has rolled out a series of sporting activities across the Islands, reinforcing its focus on health, fitness, and youth engagement. Despite weather interruptions, the department continues to foster a vibrant sports culture, highlighted by an open swimming competition, a bodybuilding championship, and the forthcoming district athletic meet.
The Department of Sports announced that an Open Swimming Competition for men and women will be held at the Swimming Pool, Netaji Stadium Sports Complex on November 8. The event is open to participants from government and private institutions, including schools, colleges, and the general public. Competitions will be conducted in 100m freestyle and 200m breaststroke categories for both men and women. Entry is free, encouraging widespread participation from across the community. Registration has been open till November 7, under the supervision of Swimming Coach Dr. V. Selvam from the Sports and Youth Affairs division. Participants have been advised to report to the venue by 7:30 a.m. for verification and warm-up ahead of the 8 a.m. start.
The department also announced that the District-Level Athletic Meet, originally scheduled for November 7, has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions. Officials have stated that the new date will be announced shortly once the weather improves. The decision underscores the Administration’s cautious approach to ensuring athlete safety and event quality.
While the outdoor athletics meet awaits rescheduling, indoor fitness initiatives have kept the sporting spirit alive. On November 4, the ‘Mr. FIT Body Building Competition – Season 2’ was successfully conducted at the TGCE Auditorium. The event was jointly organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO).
The bodybuilding competition drew enthusiastic participation from across the Islands, showcasing local talent and dedication to fitness. The first prize was awarded to T. Venkata Ramana, followed by Pramod Chhillar in second place and Abdul Salam in third. The winners received cash prizes of ₹5,000, ₹3,000, and ₹2,000 respectively, along with trophies, medals, and certificates. The prizes were sponsored by ANIIDCO as part of its ongoing partnership to promote health and wellness among islanders.
Secretary (Cooperation)-cum-RCS Rajesh Chopra presented the awards to the winners, while ANIIDCO’s Senior Manager (Tourism) Gopal Chandra Das felicitated other top performers. The event saw participation from sports enthusiasts and youth representatives, with a strong emphasis on building a community-driven fitness ecosystem.
Director (Sports) Vikram Singh reaffirmed that such events will continue throughout the year to strengthen youth engagement in fitness-oriented activities. According to officials, the department aims to establish a continuous calendar of sports events ranging from athletics and swimming to bodybuilding and indoor games, ensuring equal opportunities for amateurs and professionals alike.
These initiatives mark a sustained effort by the Administration to blend competitive sports with public health promotion. By offering open participation, removing entry fees, and providing recognition at multiple levels, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs seeks to ensure inclusivity in its programmes.
The upcoming weeks are expected to feature more such competitions once weather conditions stabilize. The district athletics meet, once rescheduled, is likely to draw participation from schools, colleges, and community clubs, extending the momentum created by recent events.
Through these parallel drives, the Sports Department continues to underline its broader objective, to make fitness a lifestyle choice and create a culture of active participation among islanders, especially the youth.
