Port Blair, April 18: The XXth State School Games & 5th State Level Competition for CWSN 2016-17 got underway at the historic Netaji Stadum here today. The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anindo Majumdar inaugurated the events as the chief guest. He unveiled the ‘Overall Championship Trophy’ and released a Technical Bulletin of the Games on the occasion. The Chairperson PBMC, Shri B Eswar Rao also graced the inaugural ceremony.
Declaring the meet open, the chief guest lauded the efforts of the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs and the Education Department in organizing the event and said that such sports events provide opportunity for the young budding sportspersons to showcase their talents. It is a moment to spot new sports talents, who are to be nurtured and exposed to higher level competitions. Such events also bring sporting spirit among the participants, he said an urged the participants to make new friendships among themselves during the five day long events.
The Chief Secretary said that there is need to create more sports infrastructure not only in Port Blair, but in other Islands as well, which will help in nurturing young talents in those Islands. He also mentioned the need for restoring the floodlights of the Netaji Stadium to facilitate day and night sports events. Our Islands has a good sports history, with many sportspersons representing the country in international sports events; and this need to be kept up by providing training to young talents in the right earnest, he said and wished the participants their best.
In his welcome address, the Secretary (Edn.) and Chairman, State School Games, Shri Sandip Jacques said that the games are a great opportunity for the youngsters to showcase their talents. He said that it is equally important to participate and to win. The will to win is equally important with the will to prepare and participate, he said urging the participants to take part in the all the events with sports spirit.
A spectacular March Past was held, in which all the nine education zones of the Islands participated. Campbell Bay contingent was adjudged the Best Marching contingent, with Mayabunder bagging the second position while Rangat and Car Nicobar Zones jointly won the third place.
A colourful cultural event was also presented by the students of GSSS Model and GSSS Garacharama.
In the opening event of 100 mtrs sprint for boys, Akash Kerketta of Wimberlygunj Zone bagged the Gold Medal, Rohithan of Port Blair Zone the Silver and Pran Chandra of Car Nicobar bagged the Bronze Medal. In the 200 mtrs. sprint for girls, Rebecca of Wimberlygunj Zone got the Gold Medal, Shrrine Bala of Car Nicobar Zone bagged the Silver and Shiny of Port Blair went away with the Bronze Medal.
