Andaman gears up to host SGFI tourney for fourth time

Port Blair, Nov 6 (UNI) The Education Department of Andaman and Nicobar(A&N) Islands will hold the SGFI National School Football Championship for the fourth time.

The School Games Federation of India (SGFI) is recognised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as well as the Indian Olympic Association.

''The Education Department of Andaman is entrusted with the onus to host the 54th football championship for boys under-19 owing to its impressive management during the earlier tournaments, '' A and N Administration Assistant Director (Physical Education) Ranjith Kumar told UNI today.

Meanwhile, Education Secretary Rikku Dhugga has directed all the concerned departments of A and N Administration to take up works for reparing the floodlights of the historic Netaji Stadium of Port Blair, so that the matches could draw more spectators.

The Secretary has also urged the Andaman PWD and the Port Blair Municipal Council to do the needful for maintaining and beautifying the Stadium complex, along with upkeeping the playfield and its surroundings, Mr Kumar added.

About 20 teams from mainland, including the host team, are expected to participate in the championship, which will be completed in nine days.

A 30-member team had already been picked up to represent the Islands, the Assistant Director added.

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