By Fr Chris Ferreira for BISMumbai

The Past Pupils Unit of Don Bosco, Chhotaudepur, organised an Open 7-a-Side Football Tournament at the Don Bosco School Campus on 26 Feburary 2023. 13 teams had registered and participated in this knockout tournament.

Fr George Carlos, the Rector of the institution, welcomed the teams and expressed great joy on seeing them. In his opening address, he wished the teams good luck for the day.

Mr Dashrath Rathva, a member of the Alumni Unit said: "This tournament is being organised totally by the Past Pupils Unit of Don Bosco, Chhotaudepur – with just a simple thought that we have received so much from Don Bosco, and we feel that it is time to give back a little too."

The games were of a short but competitive in nature while teams battled it out for 20 minutes in each game. Ambala City and Soccer locked horns in the final and Soccer emerged victorious with 3-0 in the end. The winning team, Soccer, took home a cash prize of ₹5000 and a trophy, while the runners-up were Ambala City, and they took home a cash prize of ₹3000.

The contribution and presence of Mr Islabhai Rathwa, Mr Rasik Rathwa – both past pupils – and Ms Umesha Rathwa were acknowledged for partially sponsoring the event.

At the closing of the tournament, the Chhotaudepur Mahanagarpalika incharge, Shri Sangramsingh Rathwa, congratulated the teams and encouraged such events. Br Tony Manickam was thanked for his gratitious support towards the tournament. The past pupils made their alma mater proud by their attitude of gratitude. It seemed more than a tournament; it was an expression of love made possible by the collaborative effort of each alumni which came from a grateful heart.

What was really appreciable was the dedication of those Past Pupils who, well past their prime, came the previous evening to mark the grounds and set the stage for the tournament. This is a clear reflection of the influence of Salesians values, especially that of gratitude, on the students of Don Bosco, Chhotaudepur.