By Ms Dorothy Fernandes for BISMumbai

The Boys’ Under-14 Basketball team of Don Bosco High School and Junior College, Naigaon, won the Basketball DSO Tournament held by the Vasai-Virar Mahanagarpalika, at St. Augustine’s Grounds, on 27 September 2023, for the second consecutive year.

The boys defeated St Xavier’s, Virar, in the finals, managing to take home their victory after keeping an aggressive opponent team at bay with the skills and training imparted by their coach, Mr Abraham Thomas. “The budding players were beset by various emotions and were apprehensive. But in the end, they did well. They will be practicing hard now as they have qualified for the Mumbai Divisional Level Tournament”, reported Mr Abraham Thomas. 

The captain, Joshua Okoh, scored four consecutive baskets, putting the Don Bosco Team well in the driver’s seat with a crafty up-and-under finish. He exclaimed, “It was a tough and close game. However, we put in all our efforts to make it through. We are gearing up for the next level and will work harder.”

Meanwhile, the Girls’ Under-17 Basketball team and the Girls’ Under-14 Basketball team bagged second place at the DSO on the same day. It is indeed a proud moment for the school and the college. 

These victories would not have been possible without the support and monitoring of the Vice-Principal, Fr Joaquim Fernandes, who is in charge of sports and extracurricular activities at Don Bosco, Naigaon. "I see teamwork and a sense of camaraderie among the students. I hope to encourage student collaboration and promote appreciation of each other's strengths and weaknesses through sport", said Fr Fernandes.

Overwhelmed by the consecutive victories of the students in the recent matches played, the Principal, Fr Anthony Fonseca, congratulated the coaches and the team for their remarkable performance at the DSO. He said, “It is great to see such enthusiasm and high level of energy amongst students of different age groups. We hope that our basketball team and other teams will not rest on their laurels and will continue to rise to higher standards.”