Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 06 March 2025
A growing concern has emerged among athletes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands over the prolonged delay in the disbursement of cash awards promised to them for their achievements. The issue was formally raised by Dhairya NGO, which has urged the Department of Sports to expedite the release of pending cash awards.
In a letter addressed to the Director of the Department of Sports, Abdul Sajid, Vice President of Dhairya NGO, highlighted the struggles faced by sportspersons due to the two-year delay in receiving their cash awards. Many athletes, who have represented the islands and brought laurels, are still awaiting their due recognition in the form of financial incentives.
The letter underscored the unique difficulties faced by athletes in the region, including geographical isolation, lack of adequate sports infrastructure, and financial constraints. With costly travel expenses for national-level competitions and limited training facilities, these athletes are at a disadvantage compared to their mainland counterparts.
Despite these hardships, several sportspersons from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have excelled in national events. The delay in disbursing financial rewards not only demotivates these athletes but also hampers their ability to sustain training and participation in future competitions.
Sajid urged the authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the issue and ensure that the promised cash awards reach the deserving athletes without further delay. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for long-term improvements in sports infrastructure and financial support systems to better facilitate the development of sports in the Union Territory.
Dhairya NGO has expressed hope that the Department of Sports will address the matter promptly, ensuring that the dedication and hard work of the region’s athletes do not go unrecognised.