By Ms Kimberley Pereira for BISMumbai 

Don Bosco, Nerul, organised Bosco Fest on 4 and 5 February 2023 with great enthusiasm. It was held with an aim of inculcating the values of true sportsmanship and allowing athletes to showcase their talents. The first day was dedicated to boys while the second was for girls. 

140 teams registered from Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts. All the participants with their coaches assembled on the ground on the first day. The most anticipated event of the year commenced with the arrival of the highly distinguished chief guest, Mr Sunil Poojari - an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ‘B’ licensed Football Coach, and former national football player as well as the Maharashtra state youth football coach. Fr Barnabe D’Souza – the Rector, Ms Sangeeta Bhattacharya – the Principal, and Fr Akhil Abraham – the Vice Principal, and Mr Jesuraja Joseph, the Coordinator of Don Bosco Academy were the guests of honour.

The festival commenced at 9:00 a.m. with the felicitation of dignitaries. Fr D’Souza spoke a few words of encouragement to the participating teams. Mr Poojari declared the Bosco Fest open. The fest started with the inter-school football, basketball, and handball tournaments. The list of the winners are as follows: football category Under 8: Don Bosco Nerul, Under 10: Vibgyor Airoli, Under 12: Avelon Vashi, and Under 14: Don Bosco Nerul. Trophies for handball Under 14 and Under 17 were bagged by Don Bosco, Nerul. Avalon Vashi Under 13 and Don Bosco Nerul Under 16 won the basketball titles. With all the cheers and supportive shouts throughout the day, the first day came to an end. 

The second day for the girls started with the same spirit and fun as the previous day. Fr Joseph Palamthattel, the Missionary Animation Coordinator for South Asia and Fr Michael Bansode, SDB - the Rector of Don Bosco, Yerwada, were the chief guests for the day. Fr Palamthattel, in his address to the participants exhorted them to enjoy the games with the spirit of integrity, quoting the words of Don Bosco: “Run, jump, shout, but do not sin.” The chief guests inaugurated the events of the day. The girls played the tournaments enthusiastically. The result at the end of the day brought huge smiles on the faces of the winners of the match.

Don Bosco Nerul bagged the football trophy in the category Under 8; Vibgyor Kharghar Under 12, Don Bosco Nerul Under 14, and KPC Kharghar Under 17 won the football trophies. Ryan International Nerul won the handball trophies Under 14 and Under 17. St Anthony’s Chembur won the basketball trophies Under 13 and Under 16. 

The dignitaries awarded the teams with the winning trophies and medals at the concluding ceremonies. With the vote of thanks by the Football Coach, Mr Mervin Almond, the 2-day celebration of Bosco Fest came to an end. It was a great learning and festive experience for all the players and they enjoyed it.