Udupi/M’belle, 02 Dec 2013: There was overwhelming participation in limited overs tennis ball cricket tournament as 20 teams vied with each other to top honours as part of the Centenary celebration of Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School, Moodubelle. However, for women’s Volleyball tournament there was lukewarm response as only four teams participated in the tournament. Both the tournaments were held on Sunday, 1 December 2013 from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm in St. Lawrence PU College Grounds.
The combined tournament was inaugurated in the morning at 9.30 am in the presence of Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Correspondent of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions, Rev. Fr. Robert Lasrado (OFM Cap), Director of Assisi Nilaya, Gilber Menezes as chief guest, Rajendra Shetty President of Old Students Association, Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza, Member of Zilla Panchayat, Devdas Hebbar, A.G. D’Souza, Alphonse K. Alva-Vice President of Parish pastoral Council, Benedict Martis, Sylvester Mathias, Headmaster, Commodore Jerome Castelino, Vincent Fernandes, Old Students Association Sports Secretary and other guests.
After the pryar sung by Anita Alva, the tournament was formally inaugurated by lighting the lamp by Gilbert Menezes and other dignitaries on the dais. In his message, Gilber Menezes recalled his school days and appreciated the work done by the school as well as the Old Students Association. Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes in his message wished well for the tournament and the forthcoming Centenary Celebration of the school. The inauguration programme was compeered by Maxim D’Sa.
The cricket tournament was inaugurated by the dignitaries batting and bowling few balls before actual tournament commenced. The tournament was restricted to five overs each for each team. Altogether 20 matches were played throughout the day and the team of Geleyara Balaga, Padubelle emerged victorious where as old students of St. Lawrence PU College Team were runners up. Atul was named as the Man of the Match.
In the ladies Volleyball Tournament St. Lawrence Friends Team led by Emilia were the winners and Swathi and Group were the Runners Up.
A number of Old Students visited the ground to encourage the players. Fr. Raj and Fr. Paul Sequeira also witnessed the tournament and Fr. Raj even gave running commentary for some time. The Nasik Band and DJ entertained the players and the spectators with their drumbeats andfine music respectively.
Vincent Fernandes, the Old Students Sports Secretary who was instrumental in organizing both the tournaments has expressed gratitude to Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes for encouragement in organizing the tournament, Fr. Paul Sequeira for providing the ground, all the donors for their support and the teams for their participation.