Port Blair, Feb 09: First A.R Jophet cycling championship has been organised by Nicobar police under the aegis of Andaman & Nicobar Cycling Association and is being supported by the Nicobar Police under the “YUVA” initiative of A&N Police.
Shaheed A.R Jophet was a former Constable of CRPF who did the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty and laid down his life in Manipur in 1987. He belonged to Sawai village, Car Nicobar and is remembered by the villagers in a very good spirit.
Since 1985, this island has produced around 25 national and international level Cyclists alone apart from other sports persons.
The four categories of races in the Cycling Championship were flagged off by the family of martyr CT A.R Jophet, world no. 4 cyclist Deborah Herold and silver medallist of Khelo India Nikita.
The inaugural address about first such Cycling event was given by Sh Rajeev Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Nicobar District.
The prizes were distributed for this championship under the following categories:-
- Senior Male category
- Senior Female category
- Under 17 Male category
- Under 17 Female category
A total of 12 prizes, 3 each under the four categories were awarded.
The popularity of cycling in India only extends to it being a recreational activity, not as a professional sports but Car Nicobar is also known as the cycling island due to its popularity in this sport. There are a number of notable Cyclists of the island, for eg- Deborah Herold, Nikita, Esow Alben, David Beckham etc.
The major participants of the 1st Shaheed A.R Jophet Cycling Championship were the local Nicobarese from all the villages of Car Nicobar and officials from IAF including the Station Commander Group Captain R.V Prakash, VM.
The Chief Guest of the event was the Vice Chief Captain, Tribal Council, Car Nicobar Shri Lionel Nicomede and guest of honour was Dy Vice Chief Captain, Tribal Council, Car Nicobar. More than 100 people from Nicobar District participated in the event. The Nicobar administration also supported the event under “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” an initiative of Govt of India to protect and empower the girl child.
At the end, a vote of thanks was presented by Sh Prashant Choudhary, Dy SP/ Car Nicobar and the event concluded on a very positive note.
