Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 03 August 2023
The much-anticipated DC Cup Football Rolling Trophy, a key event of the DC Cup 2023 – a mini Olympic format year-long sports extravaganza, commenced with great enthusiasm at the BJR Stadium in Tamaloo, Car Nicobar on 1st August 2023. Organized by the District Administration in collaboration with the Nicobar Games and Sports Association (NGSA), the football tournament promises three weeks of thrilling matches among 17 teams, including representatives from 13 villages, the Education Department, and the Indian Air Force.
The inaugural ceremony witnessed a momentous gathering of more than 500 villagers, who eagerly gathered at the stadium to mark the beginning of this prestigious football event. The chief guest for the occasion was Mr. Hari Kallikkat, IAS, the Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar District. Also present as Guests of Honour were Mr. Manjeet Sheoran, IPS, Superintendent of Police, Nicobar District, and Mr. Lionel Nicomede, Chairman of the Tribal Council, Car Nicobar.
In his address to the gathering, Mr. Hari Kallikkat stressed the significance of sports and encouraged the participating athletes to utilise this platform to hone their skills and aspire to reach higher levels in the world of sports.
The esteemed Guests of Honour, Mr. Manjeet Sheoran and Mr. Lionel Nicomede, urged the players to compete with true sportsmanship and to exhibit their best performances throughout the tournament. They emphasised the spirit of camaraderie and fair play, which are fundamental values that sports instill in individuals.
Prior to the commencement of the football matches, the students of GPS, Kinyuka, and GSSS Malacca Village put on a splendid cultural program, adding an element of festivity to the inaugural ceremony. The event was attended by Heads of various departments, villagers, and enthusiastic youths from across Car Nicobar.
The opening match of the tournament was contested between Kinyuka village and Chuckchucha village. The match took place following the hoisting of the flag and the declaration of the tournament’s commencement by the esteemed chief guest, Mr. Hari Kallikkat. This kick-off encounter holds immense importance in revitalizing football culture on the island and inspiring the youth to pursue the sport passionately and reach greater heights in the future.
Car Nicobar has produced numerous national and international footballers, DC Cup Football Rolling Trophy would serve as a stepping stone for aspiring athletes to follow in the footsteps of their illustrious predecessors.