Port Blair, Mar 19: 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 0n 18th March 2023 as a part on 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.) 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 have 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 measure rescue boats along with divers and lifeguards with sufficient safety equipment were placed in adequate distances.
It is worth mentioning that for the first time in history of these Islands, Lt. Governor has himself participated in the open sea swimming competition and completed the race up to the finishing point at Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports complex under the Senior Citizen category (60 to 70 yrs) which has 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) prize , trophies, medals and certificates to the winners.
Mr. Nikhil Kumar, Commissioner cum Secretary (Sports) welcoming the Chief Guest and dignitaries expressed immense pleasure on conduct of such mega events 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 are surrounded by sea and swimming is almost a local sport for all the youths. While appreciating all the participants for completing the race, he had special words for 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 organizing such an event in this Island and the participants for their overwhelming response, zeal and enthusiasm. He thanked 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 address thanked Lt. Governor, Chief Secretary Andaman and Nicobar Administration for extending his valuable suggestions from time 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 with time coverage of each category is as under.
S.N Categories Age group
(in years) No. of participants Flag off time Name of the winners Completion Time
(hh:mm:ss) Position
1 Men’s Open 18 to 50 138 5:40 am Mr. S Meghanathan 00:28:53 I
Mr. Saw Yona 00:29:31 II
Mr. Rajiv Mondal 00:30:19 III
2 Women’s Open 18 and above 15 5:45 am Ms. Naw Absha 00:36:00 I
Ms. Aishwarya Sati 00:37:00 II
Ms. Naw Polisju 00:38:50 III
3 Girls 12 to 18 07 5:50 am Kri. Deepanshi Yadav 00:32:44 I
Kri. Aditi Kumari 00:40:20 II
Kri. Kajal Kumari 00:40:48 III
4 Boys 12 to 18 16 5:50 am Kr. Aditya 00:32:44 I
Kr. Deepak Yadav 00:33:45 II
Kr. Sambgat Singh Parmar 00:34:45 III
5 Super Senior Citizen Above 70 01 5:55 am Mr. Hemchander 1:41:21 I
6 Senior Citizen 60 to 70 07 5:55 am Mr. S K Roy 00:39:13 I
Mr. K Sankaran 00:59:02 II
Mr. Mohd. Rafi 01:08:23 III
7 Men’s Open 50 to 60 08 5:55 am Mr. Sanjay Kumar 00:39:15 I
Mr. Abdul Razak 00:43:04 II
Mr. Pawan Kumar 00:45:43 III
Total 192
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