Udupi/M’Bellle: Govt. HS Volakkadu Champions of Taluk Level Boys Volleyball Tournament
By Eugene DSouza
Pics by Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network
Udupi/M’Bellle, 27 Aug 2015: In a keenly contested Udupi Taluk level High School Boys Volleyball Tournament held in St. Lawrence PU College ground on Thursday, 27 August 2015, Government High School Volakkadu boys team emerged as the champions by defeating Dandathirth High School, Kaup with convincing scores of 20-25, 25-16 and 15-11. Dandathirtha High School team was declared as the Runners Up. Government High School, Volakkadu team will be competing for top District position at the district level tournament to be held in September 2015.
Individual prizes were awarded to Nitesh of Volakkadu as Best All-rounder; Manish Kulal of Dandathirtha, Kaup as Best Attacker and Tushar of Volakkadu as Best Smasher.
Udupi Taluk level High School Boys Volleyball Tournament was jointly organized by Udupi Zilla Panchayat and Public Education Department, Udupi along with St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School, Moodubelle. Bellevision Global was the main sponsor of the tournament whereas Syndicate Bank was the co-sponsor.
Earlier in the morning, the inaugural function of the tournament began with a grand procession from the church compound comprising of the students from St. Lawrence Educational Institutions accompanied by Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas the Correspondent, Elias D’Souza-Proprietor of Civitech and Representative of Bellevision Global who was the chief guest of the function and Mrs. Leena D’Silva-Headmistress of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School, the host of the tournament. Brass bands from St. Lawrence English Medium High School and St. Lawrence PU College enhanced the dignity of the procession. The procession coming out of the main church gate passed through the main road and entered the PU College ground. Though it rained on the way, the students made it a point to complete the procession.
Following the prayer song by the students, Mrs. Leena D’Silva welcomed the guests on the dais- Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas who presided over the function, Elias D’Souza, the chief guest, Mrs. Ranjani Hegde-President of Belle Grama Panchayat, Devdas Hebbar-member of Udupi Taluk Panchayat and President of Old Students Association, Alphonse K. Alva-Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council and President of Parents-Teachers Association, Basava Rajappa-Physical Education Officer, Udupi, Satish Salian-President of Physical Education Teachers Association, Udupi, Bharme Gouder-DGM, Syndicate Bank Regional Office, Udupi, and J.B. Miranda-member of Administrative Committee. Students dressed in different costumes offered floral welcome to the guests on the dais.
The Udupi Taluk Level Boys Volleyball Tournament was formally inaugurated by Elias D’Souza and other dignitaries on the dais by lighting the traditional lamp. In his message, Elias D’Souza said that education is incomplete without sports and made an appeal to the teams to put in their best efforts and play the games with the aim to win. However, those who lose should not get disappointed as failure teaches the competitors how to strategize their game and win next time.
Mrs. Ranjani Hegde, President of Belle Grama Panchayat in her address said that she herself was an active volleyball player not only in school but also at her college and university level. She further said that she had coached the Belle Church Aided Higher Primary School girls volleyball team which had reached the state level competition.
Basavarajappa, Physical Education Officer, Udupi Taluk appreciated the efforts taken by the Correspondent, St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School and Bellevision Global in organizing the taluk level tournament.
Certificates were distributed to the Girls Volleyball team of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School which was Runners Up in the recently held Udupi Taluk level tournament.
Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas complimented the students who participated in the procession and appreciated the fact that in spite of heavy rains they did not disperse in between and completed the procession. Further he said that he had been a volleyball player himself while in seminary and had participated in a number of tournaments. He wished well to all the teams.
Bharme Gouder, DGM Syndicate Bank Regional Office Udupi complemented St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School for organizing the Udupi Taluk Level tournament and expressed happiness for being associated with the tournament as one of the sponsors.
Free bicycles were distributed to 8th standard students. Two 8th standard students symbolically accepted the bicycles from Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and other dignitaries on the dais.
On the ground, the dignitaries declared the tournament open by releasing pigeons and coloured baloons.
The volleyball courts were inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas. Bellevision Global Court was inaugurated by Elias D’Souza where as Syndicate Bank Court was inaugurated by Bharme Gouder.
John Castelino compeered the programme and Mrs. Sunitha Kamath proposed the vote of thanks.
Out of 75 high schools that are spread across the Udupi Taluk, 42 high schools had deputed their boys’ volleyball teams for the tournament. The knock out matches were conducted in four volleyball courts. In spite of continuous rains, the physical eduction teachers from different high shools cooperated in smoothly conducting these matches.
The semi-final competition was held between Dandathirtha High School, Kaup and Shri Narayana Guru High School, Malpe in which Dandathirtha High School emerged as victorious. In the second semi-final match played between Government High School, Volakkadu and St. John’s High School, Shankerpura, Government High School, Volakkadu was successful.
Prior to the final match, Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Elias D’Souza, Mrs. Leena D’Silva, Satish Salian, Bsavarajappa, Emmanuel Cornelio-former PT teacher of St. Lawrence Kannada Medium High School and Valerian Crasta-present PT teaher wished both the finalist teams success. Eventually, in the final match that was keenly contested, Government High School, Volakkadu registered convincing victory over Dandathirtha High School, Kaup. Fortunately, during the final match there was respite from the rain.
Soon after the final match, valedictory function was held in the ground. Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas presided over the function. Other dignitaries present included Basavarajappa, Satish Salian, Mrs. Shalini Lobo, Prajin-Assistant Manager of Syndicate Bank, Moodubelle, Mrs. Leena D’Silva, Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes (OFM Cap) and Emmanuel Cornelio.
Speaking at the valedictory function, Basavarajappa expressed gratitude to all those who helped in conducting the taluk level boys volleyball tournament in spite of rains. Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas congratulated the boys team from the Government High School, Volakkadu for their victory and wished them well at the district level tournament.
The dignitaries on the dais gave away the trophies to the victorious and runners up teams and individual prizes.
Mrs. Leena D’Silva welcomed the gathering, Valerian Crasta proposed the vote of thanks and John Castelino anchored the programme.
Happy to note that the volleyball tourney was organised successfully by the sports committee n kudos to Leena Teacher for her able leadership. Despite adverse conditions of heavy rains throughout the day the tournament went on as planned. Hats off to all the players for playing matches showing true sportsmen spirit n completing all the matches without complaints. Also thanks for Bellevision Global for supporting the management to conduct the tournament.