By Cl. Ralston Rozario for BIS Mumbai
"Run and jump and play; do not sin," urged St. Don Bosco, inspiring generations of youth to embrace sports with joy and moral strength. Echoing this timeless wisdom, the 12 day Sports Coaching Camp held from April 20 to May 1, 2026 brought together nearly 90 young athletes for intensive training, classroom learning, and character building. The camp combined expert coaching with a structured daily routine designed to develop both athletic ability and personal discipline.
The camp featured dedicated coaches for each sport:
In hockey, Mr Tony led sessions focusing on stick work, positioning, and match tactics.
In football, Mr Melvin and Mr Murli jointly coached, emphasizing ball control, passing drills, and teamwork on the field.
In basketball, Br Dean guided students through dribbling, shooting form, and defensive strategies.
With 90 children participating in the sports game, they received focused attention during two daily coaching slots, allowing players to practice, correct technique, and play under expert eyes. Coaches roamed the fields, yelling tips like "Keep your eyes on the ball!"
The camp ran on a well planned schedule that balanced physical training, learning, and rest.
The mornings and evenings were dedicated to on-ground coaching, while for the midday classes and the 3 pm Sports Theory Class, a video was screened which helped students understand strategy, and sportsmanship. Time for rest, study, and prayer ensured physical recovery and mental focus.
The coaches organized knockout tournaments for each sport, ramping up the energy. On April 30, football and basketball held their finals. On May 1, the hockey finals followed on with goals flying in a fierce showdown. Fr Elson gathered the finalists, wishing both teams to break a leg and make Don Bosco, Narukot proud!
The camp concluded with a prize ceremony for final winners for football, basketball and hockey plus points based awards for the teams in the boarding.
By the end of the camp, the children not only improved their game in hockey, football, and basketball but also learned the value of routine, teamwork, and perseverance.
The camp concluded on May 1 with tired legs, stronger skills, and plenty of memories to take home like muddy jerseys and unbreakable bonds. Narukot's ground fields now echo with dreams fulfilled.