Hari Kallikkat Inaugurates 3-Day Beach Volley Ball Tournament at Corbyn’s Cove
Port Blair, Aug. 12: The much awaited 3-day open to all League-cum-Knockout Beach Volleyball Tournament got underway at the sprawling Corbyn’s Cove beach here this afternoon. The pleasant weather and cheerful atmosphere was perfect for the kick start of the event at the picturesque venue wherein the Secretary IP&T, Shri Hari Kallikkat inaugurated the event by tossing the coin for the teams and making the first service. This also marked the inauguration of the second Volleyball Court at Corbyn’s Cove Beach which has recently been developed by the Tourism Department. Interestingly, teams from Diglipur in North to Kamorta in Southern Group of Islands are participating in the event.
The Tourism Department of A&N Administration in collaboration with tourism stakeholders of the Islands is organizing this much awaited tournament as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, celebrating 75th years of India’s Independence.
The inaugural day of the tournament saw an overwhelming response from the participating teams. Apart from teams of schools, colleges, Defence, organizations and individuals of town area, the teams from Diglipur, Kadamtala, Teressa, Kamorta, Katchal, Carnicobar have also registered themselves for theentire event.
In his brief address, the IP&T Secretary expressed happiness to see participation by good number of teams from all over the islands including teams from Diglipur in north and also from far Southern group of Islands like Teressa, Kamorta, Katchal & Carnicobar. “This is one of the first steps taken by the Tourism Department to popularize beach sports events in the Islands and more such events will be organized on a regular basis, apart from musical &cultural activities”, he said.
The IP&T Secretary was delighted to learn from the women team members Duhita Das, Nandita Biswas and Parmita Das that they have come all the way from Diglipur to participate in the tournament. The trio said, their relatives informed them over phone about the event taking place in Port Blair.
Having a word with the players, the Secretary urged them to play the game with a positive attitude and true sportsmen spirit. While enjoying the game, players from different Islands should also make friends during their stay here. Participation is more important than winning prizes, he said extending his best wishes to the participating teams.
Earlier, the Director, IP&T, Shri Prateek Raj Yadav welcomed the chief guest, participating teams and others present at the venue. The President, AATO, Shri M Vinod was also present on the occasion.
The tournament is being organized for both, women & men under the watchful eyes of the officials of the Education Department. Altogether, 40 teams of men and 14 teams of women are participating in the tournament. On the inaugural day today, 30 matches were played. Tomorrow (Aug.13), volleyball matches for men will be held from 10am to 8pm while for women it will be from 2pm to 8pm.The final match will be played on Aug.14 and prizes will be given during the prize distribution ceremony to be held at the same venue in the evening.