By Alphonsa Ohol and Genelia D’Souza for BIS Mumbai

On Sunday, February 8, 2026, the youth of Sacred Heart Parish, Yerwada, successfully organized the SHP Box Cricket Tournament for the parishioners of Sacred Heart Parish. A total of 10 teams enthusiastically participated in the tournament. The event was coordinated by the youth management committee along with Brother Sunandan Senapati MSFS, under the able leadership of Fr Gregory D’Cunha, the main coordinator of the tournament. The Guest of Honour for the event was Mr Steve Adhav from Diya Realty, one of our sponsors.

The tournament began with a prayer at 10 a.m. led by Fr Michael Fernandes, followed by an inaugural address and the release of balloons, symbolising the spirit of the teams rising above in unity. This was accompanied by the Salesian Anthem. The tournament was conducted in the true Salesian spirit, endorsing St. John Bosco’s view of sports as a powerful means to shape character, friendship, and responsibility.

The aim of the tournament was to promote sportsmanship, unity and fellowship among parish members. The event brought together players and spectators from different age groups and created a lively and joyful atmosphere throughout the day.

The rules and instructions for the cricket tournament were explained by the Youth President, Jerryco Swaminathan, who guided the participants on fair play and discipline. He also addressed the gathering and motivated the players to participate with enthusiasm and a positive spirit. The participating teams showcased remarkable excitement, zeal, and competitive spirit, making each match enjoyable. The matches were officiated by our umpires, Brother Abin Mathew SVD and Brother Prince Kujur CMI, who ensured fair play and the smooth conduct of the games.

The final match was keenly contested and attracted great attention. Both teams were equally matched, displaying excellent competitive spirit. It was a thrilling neck-to-neck encounter that went into a super over. SHP Brothers emerged as the winners of the SHP Box Cricket Tournament, while DS Boys secured the runner-up position. All the teams played exceptionally well and delivered outstanding performances, making the tournament a memorable experience for everyone.

The event not only showcased the talent and enthusiasm of the participating teams but also fostered a strong spirit of sportsmanship, teamwork, and unity. All the winners were awarded by Fr Michael Fernandes, Fr Gregory D’Cunha, and Fr Crispino D’Souza. At the same time, outstanding individual performances were recognised with medals.

The prize distribution ceremony was followed by expressions of sincere appreciation for all the teams for their active participation and for maintaining discipline throughout the tournament. The vote of thanks was proposed by the Vice President, Angela, who expressed gratitude to the fathers, turf management, umpires, teams, sponsors and parishioners for their constant support and cooperation. The efforts of the organizers, volunteers, brothers and priests were also acknowledged for their valuable guidance, encouragement, and continuous support.

The SHP Box Cricket Tournament concluded successfully at 8 p.m. 

The match was played not only to compete, but also to enjoy the game and the togetherness among us as one community.

A player from the SHP team expressed that the matches were very exciting and well-organised. He said that playing with friends in such a positive and joyful atmosphere made the experience truly memorable for the team.

A parishioner spectator mentioned that it was heartening to see people of all age groups come together to support the teams. She felt the tournament strengthened the bond among parish members and created a joyful sense of unity in the parish.