Pics by : Alphonse Mendonca and Julian D’Mello
Udupi, Feb 11: In an exciting and electrifying finals of both throwball and volleyball tournament organized by ICYM Pangla United as part of their golden jubilee celebration, Throwball Team from St Antony, Ujire and Volleyball team from Lady of Mercy, Fajir lifted the championship trophies. The exiting matches were played at the St John’s High School Playground on Sunday, February 8. As many as 12 volleyball teams and six throwball teams participated in the tournament.
Prior to commencing tournament a short welcome dance was performed by ICYM Members (Pangla) and thereafter a brief stage programme was held wherein Princia Noronha (treasurer, ICYM Pangla) invited honorary guests of the morning session to the dais namely, Fr Anil Prakash Castelino (parish priest, Pangla), John Martis (VP, Pastoral Council), Anand Melwyn D’Souza (secretary, Pastoral Council), Anitha D’Souza (coordinator, Pastoral Council), Ren Dias (chief guest of the day), Viyon Mathias (president, ICYM) & Brenol Martis (secretary, ICYM).
The stage programme commenced with a prayer song was sung invoking God’s Blessing by ICYM members. The ICYM vice president Fiddle Alva accorded a warm welcome to all the dignitaries on dais followed by lighting the traditional lamp by honorary guests on dais.
John Martis speaking on the occasion said that winning or losing the matches is not very important but playing the matches in the sportsman spirit is very important. He lauded the efforts taken by ICYM Pangla unit for organizing this prestigious tournament.
Jasmin Crasta ICYM member introduced chief guest of the day Ren Dais, a prominent sports personality. She highlighted his various achievements in the field of sports especially cricket. Currently Ren is working as a professor at Mahe Manipal and at the same time having cricket coaching centre at Udupi and have been instrumental in producing cricket players for state level and IPL cricket matches. Thereafter, Ren dais was felicitated by dignitaries on the dais for his immense contribution to the sports especially cricket. In his response for the felicitation, Ren thanked the ICYM members for the recognition and felicitation. On the occasion he also addressed the participants of the tournament highlighted importance of hard work and dedication. He said there is no compromise when it comes to hard work and discipline in sports.
On the occasion Fr Anil Prakash Castelino thanked the donors for their generous contribution to the tournament and all the donors were felicitated on the occasion.
Brenol Martis (ICYM Secretary) proposed vote of thanks.
The tournament was officially inaugurated by Glen Dais and John Martis (Vollyball) and Anitha D’Souza along with Viyon Mathias and Brenol Martis (Throwball).
The breakfast was served to all the participants and immediately thereafter the matches commenced on three courts. All the matches were played with sportsman spirit and cordially.
The teams participated were:
Volleyball Teams:
St John’s, Pangla Team A
St John’s, Pangla Team B
St Lawrence, Moodubelle
Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi
Our Lady of Vailankanni, Farla
St Antony, Kuntal Nagar
St Antony, Ujire
Our Lady of Fathima, Pernal
Our Lady of Assumption, Talapady
St Antony’s, Padukone
St Mary’s, Maniappara
Our Lady of Mercy, Fajir
Throwball teams
St John’s, Pangla
Sacred Heart, Ajekar
Mount Carmel, Shirthady
St Lawrence, Moodubelle
St Antony, Ujire
Mother of Sorrows, Udupi
On completion of league matches Ujire and Shirthady teams faced the finals wherein Shirthady team emerged a winner beating Ujire by 25-12, 25-13 in straight sets.
Prior to commencing volleyball final matches, a brief stage program was held to honour the all the ICYM Presidents since its inception back in 1975. Rachel D’Souza (cultural secretary) welcomed the honorary guests for the evening session namely Dr Anil Prakash Castelino, Fr Steevan Fernandes (director, Youth Commission, Udupi diocese), Fr Jessyl Cutinho, John Martis, Anitha D’Souza, Viyon Mathias, Brenol Martis.
On the occasion, Joshwa Pinto National football player from Pangla Parish was felicitated by dignitaries on the dais. Jeevan Pereira (ICYM golden jubilee president) introduced Joshwa Pinto and highlighted his various achievements in sports.
Fr Anil Prakash Castelino thanked all the former 55+ presidents of ICYM Pangla Unit which commenced in 1975 under the leadership of the then parish priest of St John’s, Pangla, late Fr Victor Saldhana. He lauded the contributions the past presidents to Pangla Parish as presidents of ICYM formerly known as CYM (Catholic Youth Moment of Mangalore diocese) and in appreciation all the presidents were invited on dais felicitated by dignitaries on dais. ICYM president called out the names of all the former presidents.
On behalf of presidents Dr Ronald Nazareth (registrar, St Aloysious Deemed to be University Mangaluru) spoke on the occasion. He said he feels very proud today as he has served one term as ICYM president and that helped him for his growth immensely. He feels proud to say that whenever people ask him where is his native place and he proudly tell them It is Pangla. We all should proud to be Pangalites.
On this special occasion a Ladies Volleyball team Milagrese College Kallyanpur, Udupi who participated in National level Volleyball Tournament held at Madhya Pradesh were also felicitated.
Speaking on the occasion Fr Steevan Fernandes lauded the contribution by all the former presidents of ICYM and he said that now responsibilities of all the 50 presidents has increased and he Saluted them.
Brenol Martis proposed vote of thanks and all the guests were presented with Mementos. Fr Anil Prakash thanked those prepared those cooked food for lunch for all the participants.
Finally, champion trophies were given out to the throwball winning teams namely Mount Carmel Shirthady, winners, St Anthony, Ujire runners up and St John’s, Pangla 3rd place. Also trophies were presented to Best Throwball Attacker Avitha, Shirthady, Best Receiver Jesma Shirthady and All-rounder Angel Ujire.
Final semi-final matches were held at flood lights condition. The final Volleyball matches were really very electrifying and a treat to vouch. All the matches were fought neck to neck. Finally, Our Lady of Mercy team from Fajir beat Our Lady of Assumption Talapdy (15-10, 15-10) straight sets in a closely contested final match.
Prize distribution ceremony was held at the end wherein all the winning teams were presented with winning trophies.
Also, trophies were presented to Volleyball best Stricker Dickson (Talapady), Best All Rounder Floyd (Fajir), Best Blocker Johnson (Fajir), Best Setter Pretash (Fajir) and 3rd Place St John’s, Pangla and 2nd runner up Maniamppare.
Fr Anil presented mementos to all the Referees and commentators of the tournament in appreciation to their contribution.
The ICYM Pangla Golden Volleyball and Throwball tourney came to an end with Fr Anil appreciating all the ICYM members Pangla for their efforts and dedication in organizing such a mammoth tournament successfully and presenting them with mementos in appreciation.