By Mr Aaron D’Sa for BISMumbai

On 17 and 18 September 2022, the Don Bosco Youth Movement (DBYM) of St John Bosco Church, Borivli, organized an Interzonal Throwball and Football Premier League. This event is organized for the parishioners as an annual event. However, this year the parishioners looked forward to the tournament with greater anticipation and excitement since it was being organised after a span of two years, because of the lockdown.

Both the tournaments were inaugurated separately with an opening ceremony, consisting of a sportsperson’s prayer and oath and Fr Solomon Rapol, the Rector and Parish Priest, declaring the tournament open. The five-a-side football tournament was essentially a two-pool league, followed by a four team playoff that consisted of a couple of qualifiers and an eliminator before the finals. The team representing the Gorai-1 Zone emerged as the Football tournament winners with its captain - Mr Dinesh Pawar – being awarded player of the tournament. He remarked, “The structure of the tournament was quite unique as compared to the previous years, and felt more inclusive and participatory in nature since it was compulsory to include at least one married person in the playing five.”

The women exclusive throwball tournament had six teams competing for the trophy among the zones of the parish. The team representing the zones of Babhai, L.T. Road and Vazira won the tournament with Ms Rhea D’Silva being awarded the player of the tournament.

Many of the parishioners had been looking forward to playing on the recently developed artificial-turf courts on the campus, and cherished playing under the dazzling lights in the presence of the cheering spectators. Professional referees and the hard work of the youth ensured the tournament came to a conclusion without any setbacks.

The closing ceremony consisted of the vote of thanks and the awards ceremony with medals and trophies being presented to the runners-up and the winners.

The tournament was a good occasion for the youth to develop their skills in planning, organizing and executing tournaments of this magnitude. Their efforts to enlist sponsors, see to the logistics and be proactive during the tournament despite the brutal monsoon rain on both days was appreciated and commended by the participants and the Priests of the parish.

With a number of events planned for the remainder of the year, the successful execution of the zonal sports tournaments is definitely a good trailer of the energy, enthusiasm and excellence that the youth group will continue to offer the parish community.