Udupi: Excitement marks the inauguration of Sports meet in St. Lawrence Educational Institutions
By Dr Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi/M’belle, 12 Dec 2013: Excitement and enthusiasm marked the inauguration of two days long annual sports meet of St. Lawrence Group of Educational Institutions in St. Lawrence PU College Ground, Moodubelle on Thursday, 12 December 2013 at 9.30 am.
Students and staff members of all the five St. Lawrence educational institutions gathered in the sports ground. The dignitaries arrived to the ground in procession accompanied by the PU College band led by Santosh Amin, lecturer of Mathematics in St. Lawrence PU College.
On arriving at the ground, the chief guest of the inaugural function, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, Public Relations Officer of the Diocese of Udupi and Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar received the salute of the sports students during the colourful march past.
Following the prayer by the students of St. Lawrence Degree College, Sylvester Mathias, Headmaster of the Belle Church Aided Higher Primary school, which is celebrating Centenary this year, welcomed the guests. Thereafter, Rajendra Shetty, President of the Belle Grama Panchayat hoisted the flag of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions. Meanwhile, the lighted torch was brought into the ground by a group of district and state level sports-students. After a lap around the ground the torch-bearer handed over the torch to Alphonse K. Alva, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council who in turn lighted the sports-flame. On the way back, the chief guest, Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa reviewed the sports squads and wished them well.
Reema Mathias, state level high jump athlete from St. Lawrence English Medium High School took the oath in favour of all the athletes participating in the two days long sports events.
Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa declared the two days long sports meet of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions open. In his message to the students, Fr. Denis greatly appreciated the discipline and order of the students during the march past. He said that the very fact that the five educational institutions have come together to organize the annual sports indicates the unity among the institutions which is very important for all those who are associated with these institutions. He further said that entertainment and sports activities are important for all round development of the students. He also reminded the students that whatever they achieve in fine arts and sports should influence their education and lives.
Giving the example of Sachin Tendulkar, the icon of Indian cricket, Fr. Denis D’Sa emphasized on his humility and dedication. He narrated an incident in relation to Tendulkar. He said that prior to the retirement of Tendulkar, in one of the meetings with the children, when one of the children asked him about the secret of his success, Tendulkar reportedly told the child that the secret of his success was three ‘D’s-Discipline, Dedication and Determination.
In his own way, Fr. Denis D’Sa gave "Ten Commandments" to the sports students to be followed by them in order to achieve success in sports in particular and in life in general. These Ten Commandments are:1. Thou shall not quit (That is do not give up in between before the end of the game) 2. Thou shall not gloat over winning 3. Thou shall not sulk over losing 4. Thou shall not look down upon the ones who lose 5. Thou shall not cheat 6. Thou shall work with team spirit 7. Thou shall respect the decision of the referee 8. Thou shall abide by the rules and regulations of the game 9.Thou shall encourage the sportsmen as spectator and 10. Thou shall adopt the principles of sports in life.
In his address, Rajendra Shetty wished well to the sports meet and encouraged the sports students to compete in right spirit of the game.
In his presidential message, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Correspondent of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions stressed on the fact that sports are equally important as education in developing healthy personality and wished well to the two days long sports meet.
Other dignitaries at the inaugural function of the two days long sports meet of St. Lawrence Educational Instituions were: Mrs. Ida Gibba D’Souza-member of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat, A.G. D’Souza-member of Belle Grama Panchayat, Fr. Paul Sequeira-Principal of St. Lawrence PU College, Mrs. Sarita D’Souza-Principal of St. Lawrence Degree College, Mrs. Hilda Aranha-Senior Teacher of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School, Fr. P. Raj-Principal of St. Lawrence English Medium High School and Sylvester Mathias-Headmaster of Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School.
Edward Larsen D’Souza and Shanbaug, lecturers in St. Lawrence PU College, compeered the inaugural programme and Navin Correa proposed the vote of thanks.
The sports events began soon after the inaugural programme. Teams of teachers and student volunteers under the direction of the Physical Instructors of the institutions conducted various events. The medals and certificates to the winners during the morning and evening sessions were distributed by invited dignitaries.
Meanwhile, Fr. Paul Sequeira, Rajendra Shetty and Sylvester Mathais visited the home of Raju Shetty at Kattingeri and honoured him for his achievements in sports. He could not attend the inaugural function due to his illness. His three sons-Prashant, Kishore and Raju have sponsored the medals of this year’s sports meet.
Raju Shetty had been a well-known national level Kabbaddi player and a coach while he was serving in the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. He was responsible for winning a number of Kabbaddi Tournaments while he was in service.