Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 29 September 2024
In a significant boost to sports development in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, two new Khelo India Centres (KICs) have been approved during the 47th Departmental Project Approval Committee (DPAC) meeting for the Khelo India Scheme. The meeting, held on September 20, 2024, was chaired by Ms. Sujata Chaturvedi, IAS, Secretary (Sports), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The newly sanctioned Khelo India Centres will be established at two key locations: the India Reserve Battalion (IRBn) in Port Mout for boxing and the Armed Police Unit (APU) in Police Line for kayaking. This development marks a milestone, as the Andaman & Nicobar Police becomes the first police force in India to host Khelo India Centres on its premises.
These centres, under the flagship Khelo India Scheme, aim to provide specialized sports training to the public. The training programs will be conducted by Past Champion Athletes (PCAs), ensuring high-quality guidance for aspiring sports enthusiasts. To support the initiative, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has allocated a funding package consisting of ₹10 lakhs in non-recurring grants and ₹17 lakhs as recurring grants to the Andaman & Nicobar Police.
The SAI Khelo India Nodal Officer for the A&N Islands extended congratulations to the Sports Authority of India and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in New Delhi for their unwavering support. He also expressed gratitude to the Director General of Police and the Superintendent of Police (APU), A&N Police, for their collaboration in making this initiative possible.
This unique arrangement not only aims to strengthen the community outreach efforts of the Andaman & Nicobar Police but also provides a valuable platform for the region’s budding athletes to hone their skills in sports like boxing and kayaking.
The Khelo India Scheme continues to play a vital role in promoting sports culture across India, and with these new centres, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands stand to benefit from increased opportunities for youth engagement and athletic development.