By Cl. Ian Pinto for BISMumbai

The Michael Magone Oratory of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Pune, received a sponsorship allowing 50 kids to attend the Pro Kho Kho league organised in Pune. Tickets were sponsored for two days, 16 and 19 August 2022, and the oratory children made the most of the experience.

BookMyShow was the sponsor, while the person who made it possible was Mr Anthony Mascarenhas, belonging to the Past Pupils Unit of Dominic Savio, Andheri. In all, about 100 kids got the rare opportunity to witness a professional and nationally organised and publicised tournament.

The kids were given executive treatment and were offered front row seats to watch the competition. Once the light effects and sound kicked in, the kids began grooving to the vibe of the place. Their cheers and courtside antics caught the eyes of the organizers and one among them was felicitated as the ‘Fan of the Match’. The kids had a ball of a time, cheering and dancing. The provision of snacks by the sponsor compounded their joy and excitement.

The Michael Magone Oratory is the community apostolate of Don Bosco Youth Centre. It caters primarily to the kids and youth of the neighbouring Gadge Maharaj basti. The members are ordinarily from the ages of 8 to 18. They mostly gather at DBYC to play football but occasionally also have sessions on personality development and career choices.

This opportunity to witness a professional sports match in person was an amazing experience for both the kids and the volunteers who accompanied them. They were sincerely grateful to BookMyShow for sponsoring this experience, and to Mr Mascarenhas for facilitating the arrangements.