Port Blair, Jan.10: The XXI State School Games and 6th State Level Competition for CWSN (Children with Special Needs)-2018-19 got underway to a colourful start at the historic Netaji Stadium here today. The Lt. Governor, Admiral D K Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.), chief guest of the inaugural function hoisted the Meet Flag and declared the ‘Meet Open’. He also released the Championship Trophy and the Technical Bulletin of the meet on the occasion. The Chief Secretary, Mr. Chetan B Sanghi, DGP, Mr. Dependra Pathak and the Adhyaksh Zilla Parishad South Andaman, Mr. Sanjib Kumar Mondal were also present on the occasion. The Meet is being organized by the Directorate of Education, in co-ordination with the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs.
Wishing the participants their best, the Lt. Governor informed that the Administration is making all efforts to develop sports infrastructure in the Islands. The Islands sports persons have the talent and they are mentally and physically fit. The Lt. Governor opined that it is necessary to provide the sports person with better facilities in football, volleyball, basket ball, cycling, athletics, hockey etc so as to boost their inherited talent, he said. The Lt. Governor stated that he is happy to learn that about 990 students from nine educational zones are participating in this event.
The Lt. Governor further stated that sport activities lead to healthy body and mind and the children should therefore be encouraged to take part in sports activities, so as to develop their skills. He lauded the Islands sports persons for their excellent performance at various national and international sports events. In the recently held 64th SGFI National School Championship, the Kudu Martial Art team has won 3 Gold and 7 Silver medals , he said. He also expressed hope that this five day event will improve their skill to make them compete in National and International level.
The Lt. Governor also lauded the efforts of the Education Department in organizing the Championship and advised all the participants to take part in the sports events with true sportsman spirit.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Secretary (Education), Mr. D Manikandan informed that as many as 900 students from the nine educational zones are participating in the Championship, of which 493 are boys and 417 girls. About 250 officials of the Education Department are engaged in organizing the Games and have been working hard for the past two months, he said adding that sport is the fitness of mind and body.
As many as 9 contingents representing the 9 Educational Zones of the Islands are participating. They include Port Blair Zone, Wimberlygunj, Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Nancowrie, Campbell Bay, Rangat, Mayabunder and Diglipur.
A yoga display was presented by students from different schools of Port Blair Zone while a colourful group dance was presented by the students of Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School, Port Blair. 
