by Barrington Serrao
MUMBAI, AUG 14, 2017: Don Bosco High School, Matunga, an institution traditionally known for its sporting prowess, lived up to its top billing with the school's under-14 and under-16 
footballs team clinching major titles in the year.
In the Under-14 category, Don Bosco trumped Kolhapur, 1-0 in a closely-contested final to bag the Maharashtra state title in Balewadi, Pune on August 12. The win helped the team qualify for the Nationals to be played in Delhi in the coming month.
On August 8, the Under-16 team trounced Campion school, Colaba 3-0 to claim the MSSA Division 1 title at Cooperage stadium. The Under-16 'B' team beat St. Lawrence , Borivli, 2-1 to finish third in the MSSA Division 2 competition.
'This is for you, Leslie Sir' screamed the headlines on the Midday newspaper the following day, alluding to the statement from Manan Dang, captain of the Under-16 A side.
"This win is really special for the whole team as this is our last year. We wanted this win for Leslie sir and the school. We played like one big family through this tournament," Dang said.
Leslie Machado has coached the institution for 25 years and continues to inspire the youth to produce top-calibre football.
"Our school teams make the games and the wins look easy – but it is far from the truth. With a growing number of entries of schools – state board, ICSE, CBSE and international – and the increasing competition, our coaches and boys have to put in that extra bit of hard work, training and sacrifice. Commendable work from our coaches Leslie and Pillai, our students, and more so our parents," Father Bernard Fernandes, the Principal, said.