Media Release
Mangaluru, Sep 23: Glorifying the cutting edge of victory, St Aloysius College – Harihar organized its most highly awaited annual sports meet. The annual athletic meet and PT display was held on Friday September 20, with great zeal, excitement and in a frolicsome atmosphere.
The first day of the sports event was held in grandeur, truly unmatched in the city, which became a spectacle to behold for all those witnessing it. For the success of any grand undertaking, God’s grace is of utmost importance. To that end, God’s blessings were invoked with an opening prayer in the spacious college ground.
The day began with a cross country sport in which teams and individuals ran a race on the chilly morning. The atmosphere of the college wore a festive look. A great interest was observed among the students. Separate sections for different events and track and boundaries were marked in white line. Approximately 700 students participated in the customized and fun-filled track and field events. There is great importance of games and sports in every student’s life. Sport teaches discipline to the students. They also develop the spirit of sportsmanship. It also inculcates the quality of team spirit in them. Students learn the qualities of leadership and work unitedly. The names of the competitors were called out. There were several sports events such as volleyball, throwball, basketball, ball badminton and chess which were conducted in the morning session. The afternoon session had football, kabaddi, shuttle badminton, kho-kho and carrom. As the budding athletes of St Aloysius College played, the college campus reverberated with enthusiastic cheers from the spectators.
The superior and principal of degree college, Fr Eric Mathias SJ was present with the students, encouraging and motivating the athletes taking part in the group events. The college Physical director, Manjunath was a personality who could rekindle in every student the spirit of sportsmanship. The entire management and staff toiled hard for the success of this event.
At the end of the day, students departed with smile filled faces and an abundance of positive energy in them.
Day- 2
Annual sports day was held on Saturday September 21, with great excitement and a frolicsome atmosphere. The programme began with the sports committee members welcoming the esteemed gathering to the stage.
The chief guest for the day was Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ, rector of St Aloysius College and vice president of Mangalore Jesuit Education Society and Thomas Sequeira who was honoured by Karnataka Government and DC of Davanagere district for the achievement in the national level championship which was held in Lucknow. He bagged gold medal and was selected for international championship held in Ireland in January. Other guests for the day were Fr Eric Mathias SJ superior and principal of Degree College, Sunny Gudhino, principal of PU college, Fr Pradeep Sequeira, finance officer, Pushpalatha, vice principal of PU college, Fr Cyril Raj, vice principal of degree college and co-ordinator Manjunath.
The students entered into the spirit of the occasion in a grand and captivating march past. Each class came up with a different theme and they conquered the ground. The chief guests took the salute from the students. A formal inauguration began with hoisting the college flag followed by singing the college anthem. Master of the ceremony, Pavithra called upon the president of St Aloysius College to deliver the welcome speech. The programme was inaugurated by watering a plant. The chief guest for the day, Thomas, addressed the students and motivated them by narrating his own experience. Being a victim of polio, he has inspired many with his bravery by winning gold medal in national level weightlifting. He said that if he can achieve this, they can achieve much more than this.
Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ encouraged the students with his short and sweet speech.
The events began with lighting a sports lamp by the sports committee members. The best athletes in PUC as well as degree competed in events including group events, track events and field events. Once the races began, the air was filled with cheering and tons of encouragement for the young athletes. Many new records were made in 100 meter, 200, 400, 800 meter races. Rahul from first BCom and Akhila from First PUC Commerce were declared best athletes. They won the individual championship trophy. Medals to the winners were given by Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ. Prizes were given for best march past. First place was grabbed by students of second PUC Science and second place was shared by two teams; first PUC PCMB ‘A’ and first PUC PCMB ‘B’ section.
The overall trophy was taken by the students of second PUC.
The most fascinating event was put up by the students of first PUC arts in the form of a pyramid. The programme which got over in the evening was a great success because of the immense hard work of physical director Manjunath and all the teaching and non-teaching staff members.