Renowned Badminton Player Vijay Lancy inaugurates Badminton Courts at Moodubelle Church

By Eugene DSouza
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 28 Dec 2016: International and national level Badminton player, Vijay Lancy Mascarenhas, nephew of Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle inaugurated the newly laid out twin badminton courts in the church premises on Tuesday, 27 December 2016.

 

The brief inaugural function was attended by Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of Udupi Diocese and Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha, Assistant Parish Priest of Moodubelle, Henry Fernandes-former Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council and Vincent Fernandes the newly elected Vice President. 

 

Giving a brief background of the setting up of the Badminton courts, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas said that the youth of the parish were keen to have badminton courts. When the old parish hall became defunct as a new hall was planned to be constructed, the youth used the old hall to play badminton in the evenings. However, with the demolition of the old hall in order to make way for the construction of the new hall, the youth required a place for playing badminton. Eventually it was decided to lay the badminton courts in the vacant space to the left side of the church. Vincent Fernandes, the animator of ICYM took initiative and prepared the badminton courts.

 

 

Fr. Denis D’Sa in his address said that there are two important ways by which the youth can be attracted-music and sports. He appreciated that Fr. Clement Mascarenhas used both the methods to keep the youth busy in the church by starting the music classes and by setting up two badminton courts. Being an enthusiast of sports in general and badminton in particular, Fr. Denis said that he would join the youth in playing badminton whenever he would find time.

 

Vijay Lancy Mascarenhas in his message said that badminton is the most favoured game after cricket. He also spoke about his own experience in the sport of badminton. He encouraged the youth to take up the sport seriously and assured his help in training them in Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy of which he is the manager and has been training a number of aspiring badminton players. 

 

Vijay Lancy Mascarenhas is the son of Peter Paul(brother of Fr. Clement and Fr. Fred Mascarenhas) and Mrs. Leena Mascarenhas. After completing BSc, Vijay had his higher education at IIM, Kolkata. Being a badminton player, Vijay was crowned as the Junior National Campion, Senior Maharashtra Champion and also Senior Karnataka Champion. He represented India at Badminton Tournaments at Prague in Czech Republic, Malaysia and many other countries. Currently, he is the Manager in Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy. 

 

Vijay Lancy Mascarenhas attended the inaugural function along with his parents, wife Chaitra and two children.

 

Following the brief stage programme, Vijay Lancy Mascarenhas and Fr. Denis D’Sa ingurated the newly laid badminton courts by playing the game for some time. Later, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha also joined in the game in another court. 

 

Lloyd Rebello compeered the programme and welcomed the guests.