Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 17 July 2025
In a significant push towards strengthening grassroots sports infrastructure in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, through the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has approved the establishment of three new Khelo India Centres (KICs) in the Union Territory. These newly sanctioned centres will be set up in the North & Middle Andaman District for the discipline of Hockey, and in the Nicobar District for Volleyball and Football.
With the addition of these centres, the total number of Khelo India Centres in the Islands now stands at eight. These centres span across all three districts—South Andaman, North & Middle Andaman, and Nicobar—covering a diverse range of sporting disciplines aimed at nurturing young talent and promoting a robust sports culture throughout the region.
The approved centres include a Hockey centre at Forest Ground in Baratang, a Volleyball centre at Indira Park Ground in Kamorta, and a Football centre at the Mini Stadium in Campbell Bay. Other existing centres in the Nicobar District include a Badminton centre at BJR Stadium in Car Nicobar. In the North & Middle Andaman District, an Archery centre in Vivekananda Stadium in Diglipur. Meanwhile, the South Andaman District hosts an Athletics centre at Netaji Stadium in Sri Vijaya Puram, a Boxing centre at IRBn Headquarters in Port Mout, and a Kayaking centre at the Armed Police Unit, Police Line, Sri Vijaya Puram.
These Khelo India Centres, operating under the Government of India’s flagship Khelo India Scheme, aim to provide young athletes with access to quality coaching by past champion athletes, along with modern infrastructure and a structured environment to develop their skills and sporting potential.
The Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, A&N Administration, which played a pivotal role in securing these approvals, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Sports Authority of India for their continued support. The Directorate reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the reach of sports across the Islands and fostering a vibrant and inclusive sporting ecosystem for the youth. (Story Based on PR)
