By Dorothy Fernandes for BIS Mumbai

The long-awaited vision of having a turf court on the school grounds of Don Bosco School, Naigaon finally moved towards becoming a reality with the blessing ceremony held on Monday, August 17, 2026, marking the commencement of the project. The Principal, Fr Anthony Fonseca, addressed the gathering comprising members of the Management, students, teachers, and parents. He shared that the development of the turf court had been a long-standing aspiration of the institution and had finally received the approval of the Provincial and the Management. He informed the gathering that the work would commence shortly and expressed hope that the project would be completed within approximately six months.

The Rector, Fr Royal D’Abreo, then addressed the gathering and expressed his joy at the beginning of this significant project. He highlighted that the turf court was not simply an infrastructure project but another means of living out Don Bosco's educational philosophy, which places the young person at the centre of the educational process. He explained that sports play an important role in forming young people, teaching them discipline, cooperation, resilience, healthy competition, and the ability to accept both victory and defeat with grace. In the spirit of Don Bosco, the facility would provide students with a safe and joyful environment in which they could learn, play, build friendships, and grow into responsible and well-rounded individuals. He stated that it was a privilege to have Fr William Falcao, a pioneer of the institution, present on this auspicious occasion to lead the blessing ceremony. Addressing the students of Std. X, he encouraged them to consider joining Don Bosco Junior College the following year so that they too could enjoy and benefit from the new turf facility.

The Rector then invited Fr William Falcao, Administrator, to lead the prayers and blessing of the ground. The ceremony commenced with a prayer led by Fr Falcao, with the Rector assisting by proclaiming the Scripture readings. Following the prayer service, Fr Anthony Fonseca broke the coconut as part of the traditional Bhoomi Pujan ceremony, symbolising the auspicious commencement of the project. The ceremony concluded with the sprinkling of Holy Water, by Fr Joaquim Fernandes, invoking God's blessings and protection upon the project and all those who would use the facility.

The blessing marked a significant milestone in the school's ongoing commitment to the holistic development of its students, in keeping with the educational vision of St. John Bosco. The new turf court will not merely serve as a sporting facility but will provide a space where students can develop discipline, teamwork, perseverance, leadership, sportsmanship, and respect for others. Through sports and other co-curricular activities, the school continues to provide opportunities for students to develop their talents while learning important values that will guide them beyond the classroom.