Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 19 March 2023
The Department of Sports & Youth Affairs, Andaman and Nicobar Administration has successfully conducted the mega event Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Open Sea Swimming competition 2023 on 18th March 2023. The competition was organised as a part of the on-going celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and hosting of G20 summit in India. As scheduled, at the dawn of day, 191 Nos. of participants enthusiastically assembled and participated.
Admiral D.K. Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) Hon’ble Lt. Governor and Vice Chairman, Islands Development Agency as Chief Guest, flagged off the first event “Men’s Open (18 yrs to 50 yrs)” from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island in which 138 participants took part. The remaining events of the competition were flagged off by Mr. Keshav Chandra, Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The participants covered a distance of 1.6 Kms for which an elaborate route arrangement was made with the help of dinghies with a width of 40 mtrs. As a safety measures rescue boats alongwith divers and lifeguards with sufficient safety equipment’s were placed in adequate distance.
It is worth mentioning that for the first time in history of these Islands, Hon’ble Lt. Governor himself participated in the open sea swimming competition and completed the race upto the finishing point at Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports complex under the Senior Citizen category (60 to 70 yrs) which greatly boosted the morale of the participants and generated great enthusiasm for the Islanders.
The prize distribution ceremony was held in the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports complex in which the Chief Secretary Andaman and Nicobar Administration as chief guest gave away the cash awards (@ Rs.50000/ for first prize, @ Rs.30000/ for second prize @ Rs.20000/ for third prize and @ Rs.1000/ as consolation prize for all those participants completed the race). Trophies, medals and certificates were also awarded to the winners.
Mr..Nikhil Kumar, Commissioner cum Secretary (Sports) welcomed the Chief Guest and dignitaries, expressed immense pleasure on conduct of such mega event in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. While counting the benefits of swimming as sports he also highlighted that the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Open Sea Swimming competition will generate new enthusiasm among sports lovers towards water sports and open sea swimming. He also stated that Andaman and Nicobar islands is surrounded by sea and swimming is almost a local sports for all the youths. While appreciating all the participants for completing in the race, he had special words for Hon’ble Lt. Governor Admiral D.K.Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) for his active participation and successfully completing the race. He also praised 71 year old Mr. Hem Chander and said that they have proved age is not a barrier, if one is determined to achieve a goal.
The Chief Secretary, Andaman and Nicobar Administration while addressing the gathering expressed his gratitude towards the Department of Sports and youth affairs for organising such event in this Island and the participants for their overwhelming response, zeal and enthusiasm. He thanked Hon’ble Lt. Governor Admiral D.K. Joshi, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM (Retd.) for his support and inspiration for successful completion of the event.
Mr. Yash Chaudhary, Secretary (Sports) in his vote of thanks, thanked Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Chief Secretary Andaman and Nicobar Administration for extending their valuable suggestions from to time to accomplish this mega event successfully. He also thanked Commissioner cum Secretary (Sports) and Secretaries of various departments including PCCF, ADGP, Media and all line departments for their cooperation. The programme ended with a photo session of the Chief Guest and dignitaries with the winners.
The list of winners are given below:
