Sri Vijaya Puram, June 6: In a renewed push to foster physical fitness and athletic development among youth, the Deputy Education Office, Wimberlygunj, has announced two major initiatives, a 10-kilometre public marathon and dedicated coaching sessions for school students in football, volleyball, and skipping. The initiatives will be launched over the next two weeks and are expected to engage students and residents in a structured programme aimed at promoting active lifestyles.
The marathon, titled ‘Run With Nature’, is scheduled to take place on June 14 at 5:30 AM, covering a route from Chunnabatta to North Bay and back. The event is open to all residents, with participants required to register by June 13. According to organisers, the initiative is designed to encourage community participation in health-oriented activities and raise awareness about the importance of fitness.
In addition to the marathon, the Education Department is rolling out a school-level coaching campaign from June 9, offering students in the Wimberlygunj zone hands-on training in three key sporting disciplines. Football and volleyball sessions will be held daily from 3 PM to 5:30 PM at the Wimberlygunj Mini Stadium, while skipping, aimed exclusively at girls, will be conducted from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Tushnabad Community Hall.
Coaches from the department’s Physical Education (PE) team have been appointed to lead the sessions. Football training will be supervised by Ghacia Uraon and Mohd Salim, while volleyball instruction will be handled by E M Mohammed Salim. Raj Muni will lead the girls’ skipping programme. Students can register either directly with the coaches or on-site before the sessions begin.
The combined initiative is seen as a proactive step by local education officials to revive structured physical education following years of interruptions and reduced engagement due to the pandemic. With concerns about rising obesity levels and declining physical activity among school children, the programme is being welcomed by educators and parents alike.
The Wimberlygunj events mark a broader trend across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where local administrations are increasing investment in youth health and community-based sports. While formal athletic infrastructure remains limited in remote zones, grassroots programmes like these are considered essential to cultivating early-stage talent and promoting long-term wellness.
With both the marathon and coaching sessions open to wide participation, officials expect a strong response from the community. The initiatives are also being viewed as a soft launch for more sustained engagement with youth fitness, with potential for expansion to other zones depending on turnout and outcomes.
