by Brother Jittin Mathew
MUMBAI, June 14, 2019: Bosco Boys Home (BBH) Borivli in collaboration with the youth of Don Bosco parish, Borivli organised a two-day long football tournament for the children and youth of the neighbourhood at Don Bosco parish and school ground on June 8 and 9.
The tourney was contested in the Under 16 category and an Open category. Sixteen teams from Borivli, Gorai, Malad, and Kandivli joined for this fun-filled extravaganza. Bosco Boys entered two teams in the Under 16 category and one team for the open category.
Father Corlis Gonsalves, the Rector of BBH, inaugurated and blessed the tournament. Father Solomon Rapol, the Rector of Don Bosco School, Borivli was also present at the inauguration ceremony.
After a feverish competition on the soccer pitch, Malad-based Cesselin FC lifted top honours in both categories, beating Bosco Boys Home, 3-0 in the Under 16 category and Maryland, 2-0 via penalties in the open category.
“Football is entertaining, educative, and energising. It gets all the people together, the young and the old, especially the youth. Football brings about a feeling of togetherness,” Romero D’Souza, a young player, said.
The tournament was part of the summer camp programme for the students of BBH. The parish youth, the Salesian Cooperators as well the parishioners collaborated with the students to make the tournament a success.
“I am happy and glad that we were able to organise this tournament. We managed to reach the finals of Under 16 category but little sad that we have to be contented with the Runner’s up title. This tournament was really an occasion of joy and togetherness. I hope that it continues to help us to nurture a spirit of unity among us,” Chintu Chotelal, a student at BBH, the best goalkeeper of the tournament, said.