Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 08 January 2025
The lack of adequate sports infrastructure in Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar, is a pressing concern that continues to hamper the potential of its youth. With the region grappling with the rising menace of drug and alcohol abuse among the younger population, community leaders and residents have renewed calls for the construction of a multipurpose indoor sports hall—a facility that promises to transform the lives of the islanders by fostering both recreational and professional sports activities.
For over a decade, the youth of Great Nicobar have been advocating for a state-of-the-art indoor sports facility in Campbell Bay. Currently, the island’s sports infrastructure is limited to a mini-stadium, which provides an open ground for outdoor sports like cricket, football, and other similar activities. While this stadium serves its purpose during fair weather, the region’s unpredictable climate often disrupts outdoor sports, leaving young people without consistent opportunities to stay physically active.
In addition to the mini-stadium, there exists a substandard gym maintained by Gram Panchayat (GP) Campbell Bay, which suffers from poor maintenance and outdated equipment. Beyond these two facilities, the island lacks any venue for sports, leaving the youth with limited options to pursue fitness or competitive sports during the frequent rainy months.
The demand for a multipurpose indoor sports hall is not new. Plans for such a facility were previously initiated by the Andaman Public Works Department (APWD), which even prepared estimate for the project. However, for reasons unknown, the proposal never materialised, leaving the community’s aspirations unfulfilled.
“The recent years have seen a surge in youth going astray due to drug and alcohol abuse in Great Nicobar. It has become increasingly important to provide recreational avenues and channel the energy of our youth in the right direction,” said Mr. T. Shiva Raj, General Secretary of the BJP Youth Wing of Campbell Bay Mandal and an elected Ward Member of GP Campbell Bay.
He highlighted the urgent need for a multipurpose indoor sports hall that would not only offer recreational opportunities but also help aspiring athletes pursue professional sports. “At present, there are no facilities for indoor sports on the island. During most of the year, when it rains, the youth are left with no option to stay physically active,” he added.
Mr. T. Shiva Raj emphasized that the proposed sports hall would benefit all sections of society, catering to both casual enthusiasts and those seeking to build a career in sports. He further revealed that a suitable site for the facility already exists near the mini-stadium and the Zonal Library, which had been earmarked for this project earlier. With land availability no longer a hurdle, he urged the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to act swiftly and prioritise the construction of the facility.
In addition to the indoor sports hall, Mr. T Shiva Raj also called for the inclusion of a 25-meter swimming pool in the project. “Several youth of Great Nicobar are exceptional swimmers. With the right training and daily practice in a proper facility, they have the potential to excel in national and international competitions,” he stated.
The construction of a multipurpose indoor sports hall is not just about building infrastructure; it’s about nurturing the spirit and aspirations of Great Nicobar’s youth. It represents an opportunity to steer them away from harmful distractions and towards a healthier, goal-oriented lifestyle.
The people of Campbell Bay are now looking to the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to take decisive action and fulfil this long-standing demand. With the necessary land and community support already in place, the time to act is now—to ensure that the dreams of Great Nicobar’s youth are no longer deferred but transformed into reality.