Port Blair, Aug 29: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament, A&N Islands organized “Sports Conclave” on the occasion of National Sports Day on 29th August, 2019 at B.R.Ambedkar Auditorium, Port Blair. The programme was attended by leading players of National and International standard, leading sports persons of these Islands, various youth clubs, students of various schools, media persons and various persons from different fields. The Sports Conclave was organized to meet and interact with Indian Sports stars for encouraging the students and youths of these Islands to adopt sports in their life and for leading a healthy life.
The Program was attended by the elite sportspersons of the country from different fields which included Mr. S V Sunil, professional field Hockey player-Arjun Awardee, Mr. Pragyn Ojha, Cricketer, represented Team India in Test, ODIs and T20s, Mr. Vikas Dahia,Indian Field Hockey player, Smti Chandro Tomar, a shooter alias shooter dadi who is an octogenarian shooter at the age of 85 and known as the oldest shooter in the world, Mr. Mayur Dumasia, differently abled cricketer and cyclist, Smti Poulomi Ghatak, Table Tennis player and winner of silver medal in commonwealth games, 2010, Mr. Jagdeep Singh, Kabaddi player of the team which won a gold medal in 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, Mr. Rahul Anvikar, Renowned Volleyball player, Mr. Dinesh Kumar Basketball player and Smti Rushmi Chakravarty, Lawn Tennis Player of International repute. International and National sports personalities from these Islands viz Smti Sandiya Kispotta-Kayaking, Smti Regina Kiro-Kyaking, Smti Reema Kumari-Rowing, Smti B Neeta-Cyclist, Smti Deborah Herold-Cyclist, Smti Martha-Cyclist, Mr. Johney Romal –Canoeing, Mr. Esow Alben-Cyclist, Smti Srimoti Bishnoi-Kayaking, Smti Anima Halder-Kayaking, Mr. V Selvam, Kayaking and Mr. K.P. Mammu were also honoured for gracing the occasion.
At the outset, the Member of Parliament welcomed the gathering and expressed that it is his dream that every youth of these islands are engaged in some or other forms of sport and physical activities so as to live a healthy lifestyle. MP said, Sports have a great importance not only from the point of view of the competition and winning medals but to inculcate high level of sportsmen spirit, decision making ability and brotherhood in the society. Sports play an essential role in developing our mental as well as physical power which is the hallmark for achievement in every field. He told that our youths are very much talented and many have proved themselves in National and International sports events. If proper guidance, coaching and sports infrastructures are provided to them, our Island’s sports persons are capable of winning medals in Olympic and other International events.
MP has assured that out of MPLAD fund, he will provide flood lights at ten (10) grounds at various Islands from Diglipur to Campbell Bay where children can even play till 9 PM in evening time. He said that A&N Islands are on continuous stride to set new standard of performance in world sports if proper avenues are created. He said sports persons from these Islands since pre-independence era to the present day sports has made their impression in National and International arena despite having limited sports facilities available in these Islands in terms of infrastructure and skilled manpower. He also emphasized that a good infrastructure for sports is to be created for our younger generation so that they get the opportunity to play as per their desire and ability. It is also observed that in present days youths and students are more inclined towards electronics gadgets and smart devices. It has also been seen that many social evils are attracting our younger generation, hence he personally felt that the time has come that we all policy makers put our thought together and draw a concrete guidelines & policies for the younger generation.
The MP has also administered “Fit India Pledge” released by the Government during the launch of “Fit India Movement” by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Jee earlier in the day on the occasion of National Sports Day.
In the program all the eminent sports personalities present shared their experiences on and off the field of the sports and encouraged the youths, students and peoples from all ages to involve themselves in sports and physical activities so as to live a healthy life and build a strong national full of energy and vigor. The speakers also encouraged the sports persons, students of these Islands for performing so well in National and International level and winning various medals despite several constraint prevailing in these Islands.
On seeking the enthusiasm amongst the students and youngsters towards the sports, they assured to help the Island’s talent by organsing specialized skilled training and coaching in various sporting disciplines They appreciated the efforts taken by Mr. Kuldeep Rai
Sharma, Member of Parliament for organizing such mega programme in these remote place by inviting celebrated and reputed sports personalities from different parts of the India belonging to various sports discipline.
During the occasion, the Port Blair Municipal Council organized a brief workshop on “Waste Management” and “Swatch Bharath Abhiyan” to keep the environment Clean, Green and free from disease.
All eminent Sports personalities were given mementoes through the hands of various dignitaries and veteran sport personalities of the Islands as token of appreciation for their presence during the function and encouraging the Islanders in the field of Sports and
Games.
The function was also addressed by Mr. Robert Lucus, Retd. Director of Sports, Mr. Ranjith Kumar, Asst. Director (Sports) and Mr. V. Selvam, Center Incharge, SAI, Port Blair while Mr. Gyan Prakash Krishna proposed vote of thanks.
