Sri Vijaya Puram | January 15, 2026
Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, has strongly advocated the urgent development of sports fields and sports infrastructure at the village, ward, block/tehsil and regional levels across the Union Territory.
During his extensive visits to various municipal wards, villages, tehsils and blocks, the MP said that youths, budding sportspersons—including girls—along with PRI members and ward councillors, have repeatedly highlighted the acute shortage of adequate sports and games facilities in their respective areas.
Mr. Ray pointed out that although playgrounds, both levelled and unlevelled, exist in most parts of the islands, they largely lack essential modern infrastructure such as indoor stadiums, multipurpose halls, tennis and badminton courts, basketball courts, synthetic athletic tracks and proper floodlighting. Due to the absence of such facilities, many young sportspersons are unable to actively pursue sports or develop their talents.
Expressing serious concern, the MP stated that the lack of sports infrastructure is discouraging youths from engaging in healthy and constructive activities, leading some towards drug abuse and other social evils, which poses a significant social challenge for the islands.
Recalling his earlier interventions, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray said he had urged PRI members and officials of the Sports Department to project proposals for the development of sports infrastructure during District Planning Committee (DPC) meetings. However, despite repeated discussions, no concrete proposals have so far been submitted to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, even though the Ministry has expressed its willingness to extend financial assistance under central schemes such as Khelo India, especially considering the limited financial capacity of the UT Administration.
The MP further informed that he has personally taken up the matter with Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, who has given in-principle consent to provide financial support under schemes including Khelo India – National Sports Development Fund.
In this context, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has formally requested the Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, to direct the Sports Department to urgently assess the requirements for the development of sports and games facilities at the regional, block/tehsil, village and ward levels. He stressed that the exercise should be carried out in consultation with PRI members, ward councillors, eminent sports experts and Tribal Councils, and that Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) with financial estimates be prepared and submitted to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for one-time financial assistance.
Clarifying further, the MP said that while the creation of infrastructure may be supported through central funding, the recurring expenditure towards maintenance can be borne by the respective municipal bodies, PRIs and the Sports Department, depending on the ownership and title of the land or sports facilities.
Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray has urged that the matter be treated as urgent in the larger interest of youth development, promotion of sports and overall social well-being in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
