Media Release

Mangaluru, Aug 9: With an aim to provide an opportunity to exhibit the talents of students, to build on skills and to meet other budding sports persons, Bright spark - 2023 - AICS Chess Tournament was organized and hosted by Lourdes Central School on August 8 at Bejai Church Hall.

Students of 38 schools of the association of ICSE and CBSE of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts gathered in the campus with great enthusiasm and sportsmanship spirit. The inauguration of the tournament began with a beautiful prayer song sung by the school choir. The principal Fr Robert D'Souza delivered the welcome address. He also introduced the chief guest to the gathering which was followed by felicitation. 

Dr John Baptist Saldanha manager LCS, chief guest Donnet D'Souza (retired physical director of St Aloysius College Mangaluru), Fr Robert D'Souza - principal LCS, Ashok Pinto - vice president Bejai parish pastoral parishad, Cynthia Avitha Pinto secretary Bejai parish pastoral parishad, PTEC members Dr Anjali Shetty and Wilson Eric Lobo, Prasanna Rao chief arbiter, Derrick Chess School, Mangaluru, convener  Vishwanath Devadiga inaugurated the tournament by lighting the lamp.

The chief guest Donnet DSouza motivated the participants by his inspirational message. In his speech he said chess is all about mental ability and mathematical calculation. A good sportsman with mental and physical strength can win any challenge in life. So he urged the students to maintain healthy lifestyle, by getting up early and doing their regular workouts. At the same time, not to miss their on studies as well.

Addressing the participants Dr John Baptist Saldanha in his presidential address stated that when we come together we can always learn something new from others and he also encouraged the participants to give their best and bring name and fame to their school. He urged the students to be focused, strive hard and to make the best use of the opportunity that they have got.

The beginning of the tournament was marked by playing symbolic moves on chessboard by the dignitaries and declared the tournament.

During valedictory ceremony Fr Robert DSouza lauded the tireless efforts put in by each and every team and congratulated the winners. He had all appreciation for the team of arbiters and his lourdite family for organizing the event so systematically. Later, the winners were felicitated by principal, vice principal, chief arbiters and the convener.

The winners are as follows:

Under 14 category - Lourdes Central School were declared as champions of Bright Spark 2023 and Sharadha Vidyalaya emerged as runners up.

Board Prize Winners (Under 14)
First Prize - Rudra Rajeev –Lourdes Central School, Mangaluru
Second –Advaith U P – Lourdes Central School, Mangaluru
Third – Shriyana S Malyya- Lourdes Central School, Mangaluru
Fourth – Arush Bhat – Sharada Vidyalaya, Mangaluru
Fifth – Muhammad Zaeem KN – Manipal School, Mangaluru
Under 17 category – Canara High School, CBSE were declared as champions and St Aloysius Gonzaga School as runners up.

Board Prize Winners (Under 17)
First Prize – Arushi Severin Helen D silva-Carmel School, Mangaluru
Second Prize – Shaun Deon Sequeira – Cambrdige School, Mangaluru
Third Prize – Disha Fernandes – St Agnes School, Mangaluru
Fourth prize – Raveesh Kote – Jnana Ganga Central School, Bellare
Fifth prize – Amogh A Hebbar – Alva’s Central School, Moodbidre

The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Anitha Pinto.