In the year 1986 a separate Department of Sports and Youth Affairs was set up, but the same was functioning as one of the units of the Department of Education. In the year 1999 the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports has been separated from Education Department.
The Department of Sports and Youth Affairs is the Nodal Department for implementing various programmes relating to Youth Affairs and Sports in these Islands. The Department in association with State Sports Council, Sports Authority of India, Department of Education and different UT Level Sports Associations is working towards promotion of Sports in these Islands. Special attention are being given to the sports activities in which the islands sportspersons have potential and medal winning prospects, such as the sports like Canoeing, Kayaking, Rowing, Cycling, Football, Weight lifting, Taekwondo, Karate and Wushu. Teams in these disciplines were deputed in the various Junior/Senior National level championships organized in mainland.