ICYM Thottam are the Gadya khell Champs and ICYM Pamboor and ICYM Kolalgiri bags Runners Up trophies

By Alphonse Mendonsa
Bellevision Media Network

Kera/Udupi, 24 Oct 2016: In an overall performance ICYM Thottam were declared the champs of Yuva Mell Gadya Khell (A day in the paddy field) organized by ICYM Kera (St. Teresa Parish) on 23rd October 2016 whereas the ICYM Pamboor and ICYM Kolalgiri walked away with the Runners Trophies.

 

The whole day unique festival of folk games was organized by ICYM Unit Kera in association with the Udupi Diocesan and Deanery Youth Commission. The whole day games in the paddy field began with a procession at 9:30am from Mr. Achutta Shetty’s house wherein all the dignitaries of the day were welcomed by flowers girls and to the drums of Nasik Band to the specially built stage for the occasion. The dignitaries present for the inaugural function were Chief Guest of the day Most Rev. Fr. Baptist Menezes (Vicar General – Udupi Diocese), Rev. Fr. Joswi Fernandes (Vicar Var– Karkal Deanery), Mr. Siju Ambat (National ICYM President), Fr. Sunil DiSilva (ICYM Director Karkal Deanery), Mr. Acchanna Shetty (Jogibettu – donor pady fields), Ivan Christine D’Souza (Main Sponsor), Ms. Shaila Menezes (Animator, ICYM Kera) Mr. Ajit Hegde (President Malla Gram Panchayat), Ms. Soubhagya Madiwala (Member Karkala Gram Panchayat), Ms. Elsi D’Souza (Animator ICYM Karkal Deanery), Valida Mendonsa (ICYM Karnataka), Loyal D’Souza (President, ICYM Udupi Diocese), Frankline D’Silva (President ICYM Karkala Deanery), Rohit D’Mello (President, ICYM Kera unit), Denzil Mascharenhas (Secretary – ICYM Kera), Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes (Parish Priest, St. Teresa Church Kera).

 

The inaugural function began with a prayer song by members of ICYM Kera unit by  Reena Mascarenhas, Roshni and Ashika D’Silva followed by warm welcome by Loyal D’Souza (President, ICYM Udupi Diocese). All the dignitaries on the dais were felicitated with flowers. Fr. Joswi Fernandes flagged off the games.

 

 

On the occasion Mr. Achanna Shetty (Land owner) was felicitated by Most. Rev. Fr. Baptist Menezes) and other dignitaries on the dais, with traditional shawl, flowers, fruit basket and a citation) for donating his land for the pady field sports.

 

Msgr. Baptist Menezes in his presidential address said that we are all Indians and lets us unite and lets play the games in sportsman spirit. He thanked Achuta Anna and his family for donating the fields for the youth to hold this great traditional folk games.

 

ICYM member Ashika DSilva, delivered the vote of thanks. Mr. Siju Ambat officially declared the games open by tossing the volley ball to the players on the field.

 

It was a fun filled day as participants as well supporters enjoyed unique paddy fields such as Poilvi race, 5-leg race, Dum Lag Ke Race, followed by Phyramid, Volley ball, Throw-ball and the most exiting were the tug-of-war between different ward parishioners. In the team games Volley ball ICYM Pernal were the winners in the final and ICYM Thottam were the runners. In the Throwball competition ICYM Kolalgiri (Winners) and ICYM Kemmannu (Runners)., Phyramid – 1st Thottam, 2nd Pamboor and 3rd Kalattur. In the tug-of-war ; Kolalgiri 1st and Pamboor 2nd.

 

Rev. Fr. Jerome Monteiro (Parish Priest – Miyar) presided over the valedictory function and concluding ceremony. ICYM President Rohit welcomed the gathering.  Fr. Jerome in his concluding note Congratulated thanked and praised all youth for organizing and participating nature loving games.

 

On the occasion all the Animators, Coordinators, sponsors, referees were honoured with a memento each for their selfless service. Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes speaking on the occasion said initially he didn’t wanted to organize this mammoth Gadya Khell in his small parish with a small unit of ICYM members. However, ICYM members wanted to organize and they promised they will do it successfully. At the moment I’m very proud of them as they proved by organizing these games successfully and wonderfully. He applauded them for their wonderful job and invited all of the to the dais in recognition for a group photo. He also congratulated all the teams and participats and organizers for coming from far and enjoying the Ek Dis Gadyant Khellyam.

 

Denzil Mascarenhas (Secretary) ICYM Kera proposed vote of thanks. Siju Ambat read out the names of the winners of various games held throughout the day. Derrick Mascarenhas, President ICYM Udupi Diocese compared the concluding ceremony. The final moment arrived when the champions of the champions to be declared.  Loyal D’Souza announced the final winners. ICYM Thottam emerged the overall champions scoring 23 points whereas ICYM Pamboor and ICYM Kolalgiri units were tied at 18 points each and hence it was decided to give both of the team’s runner’s trophies. The organizers took the lot to take the runners trophy which was ready and in the lot ICYM bagged the chance to take the trophy and ICYM Pamboor will be given another trophy shortly organizers promised.

 

All the winners of different categories were honoured with mementos by Fr. Jerome Monteiro.

 

In the valedictory function Mr. Sudhakar Shetty (Member Taluk Panchayat Karkala), Ms. Celestine Menezes (Member Mala Panchayat), Frj. Edwin D’Souza (Director ICYM Udupi Diocese), Mr. Siju Ambat (National ICYM President), Fr. Sunil D’Silva (ICYM Director Karkal Deanery), Ms. Shaila Menezes (Animator, ICYM Kera), Ms. Elsi D’Souza (Animator ICYM Karkal Deanery), Valida Mendonsa (ICYM Karnataka), Loyal D’Souza (President, ICYM Udupi Diocese), Frankline D’Silva (President ICYM Karkala Deanery), Rohit D’Mello (President, ICYM Kera unit), Denzil Mascarenhas(Secretary – ICYM Kera), Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes (Parish Priest, St. Teresa Church Kera) were present.

 

The entire Gadya Khell was wonderfully and successfully organized by ICYM Unit (Kera St. Teresa Parish). The event was compered by Derrick Mascarenhas (Former ICYM President Udupi Diocese), Crystal Mascarenhas (ICYM Kera), Komal D’Souza (ICYM Kera), Jestan Fernandes (ICYM Kera).

 

The whole day fun-filled Gadya Khell (A day in the Paddy Field) ended with distribution of Champions trophies to the winners by Fr. Jersome Monteiro and concluded at around 6pm.