Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) April 3: The Tribal Indigenous–Tribal Sports Festival Car Nicobar 2026 concluded with competitive events and large-scale community participation, marking the culmination of a multi-sport initiative organised under the Fit India Movement by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in collaboration with the Tribal Council and the Nicobar Games & Sports Association (NGSA).
The closing ceremony featured a series of final events that combined modern competitive sports with traditional indigenous games, reflecting both athletic performance and cultural continuity. The Late Esaw Isaac Memorial Rolling Trophy U-18 Inter Village Football Tournament final emerged as the central highlight, showcasing youth talent and competitive discipline among village teams.
The Tamaloo team secured the memorial trophy, winning a cash prize of ₹35,000, while the Kinyuka team finished as runner-up with ₹25,000. Individual honours included Ambrose from Tamaloo as Best Goalkeeper and Ronaldo from Tamaloo as Best Player, each receiving ₹10,000.
In the U-18 Inter Village Football Tournament category, Kinyuka team claimed the winner’s title with ₹25,000, while Tamaloo team secured the runner-up position with ₹15,000. Alwyn Solomon from Tamaloo was named Best Goalkeeper, and Richardson from Malacca was awarded Best Scorer, with ₹5,000 each. Consolation prizes of ₹5,000 were also awarded to two losing teams.
The final day also featured traditional and recreational competitions, including the canoe race, which highlighted the maritime skills embedded in the Nicobarese way of life. Events such as the pillow fight for men and women and Kirip, a traditional wrestling format, drew strong participation from local communities.
Cash prizes were awarded across categories, including ₹5,000 for winners of pillow fight events, ₹15,000 for first place in the Harah women’s team event, and up to ₹15,000 for Kirip wrestling team winners. Individual wrestling events also carried prizes of up to ₹10,000.
The event was attended by senior district officials and representatives of local governance and sports bodies. Rahul L. Nair, Superintendent of Police, Nicobar District, attended as chief guest, while Naveen Kumar, Assistant Commissioner, Car Nicobar, was present as guest of honour. Representatives of the Tribal Council and NGSA also participated in the ceremony.
Dignitaries acknowledged the role of the festival in promoting physical fitness, preserving indigenous sports traditions, and strengthening community cohesion. They called for sustained youth engagement in sports as a means of building discipline and healthy lifestyles.
The programme concluded with traditional dance performances presented by participating villages, reflecting cultural identity and collective participation. A total of 500 Fit India T-shirts were distributed among participants, officials, and attendees during the event.
Officials from the Sports Authority of India emphasised the importance of integrating sportsmanship into everyday life, noting the strong sporting culture in the Nicobar Islands, particularly in disciplines such as football, cycling, and weightlifting. Representatives from SAI’s regional office also acknowledged the coordination between local bodies and organisers in ensuring the successful conduct of the event.
The festival concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, recognising winners and participants across all events. The initiative reinforced the objectives of the Fit India Movement while highlighting the role of indigenous sports in community engagement and youth development.
