SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The King’s Sports Academy (TKSA) hosted a prize distribution ceremony to celebrate the champions and rising stars of the inaugural Next Gen League (NGL) 1.0, the inter-school football league in the State organised at the academy ground, Sao Jose de Areal, recently.
The NGL 1.0 featured four age categories – U-10 (5-a-side) and U-12 (7-a-side) Mixed Boys and Girls, U-14 Boys (7-a-side) and U-14 Girls (9-a-side). The academy honoured champions and runners-up from each category, along with individual achievement awards.
The following are the results: U-10 Champions: Our Lady of Carmel High School, Curtorim. Runners-up: Infant Jesus High School, Colva. U-12 Mixed Champions: St Joseph's Educational Institute, Chandor. Runners-up: Perpetual Succour Convent High School, Navelim.
U-14 Boys Champions: Bethany High School, Sao Jose de Areal. Runners-up: Rosary High School, Navelim. U-14 Girls Champions: The King's School, Sao Jose de Areal. Runners-up: Fatima Convent High School, Margao.
The Academy also recognised teams and individuals fostering sportsmanship and demonstrating remarkable improvement.
Sportsmanship Team Awards: U-12: Our Lady of Succour, Nagoa. U-14 Boys: St Xavier’s High School, Velim. U-14 Girls: St Jude High School, Betalbatim.
Most Improved Team Awards: U-12: Bethany Convent High School, Sao Jose de Areal.
U-14 Boys: Immaculate Conception High School, Paroda. U-14 Girls: Rosary High School, Navelim.
The young athletes were acknowledged for their individual brilliance on the field. Top Goal Scorers: U-12: Austin Fernandes (Auxilium High School, Benaulim) with 38 goals. U-14 Boys: Sam Pereira (Rosary High School, Navelim) with 25 goals. U-14 Girls: Clea Colaso (Perpetual Succour Convent High School, Navelim) with 33 goals.
Rising Star Awards: U-12: Casroy Fernandes (St. Xavier High School, Velim). U-14 Boys: Mark Pinto (Our Lady of Health, Cuncolim). U-14 Girls: Acira Fernandes (St. Joseph's Educational Institute, Chandor).
Goalkeeper of the Season Awards: U-12: Chrislley Fernandes (St Joseph Educational Institute, Chandor). U-14 Boys: Christiano Colasso (The King's School, Sao Jose de Areal). U-14 Girls: Delphia Souza (St. Joseph's Educational Institute, Chandor).
The Academy also recognised the dedication and guidance provided by coaches throughout the season. Coach of the Season Awards: U-12: Kuldeep Phal Desai (St Joseph Educational Institute, Chandor). U-14 Boys: Vaibhav Raut & Donald Rocha (Bethany Convent High School, Sao Jose de Areal). U-14 Girls: Christian Roldan & Santana Furtado (St. Joseph's Educational Institute, Chandor).
And the Big one, the Player of the Season awarded to an individual for their remarkable and consistent performance throughout the league. Player of the Season Awards: U-12: Joseph D'Sa (Our Lady of Succour HS, Nagoa). U-14 Boys: Josley Gomes (Bethany Convent High School, Sao Jose de Areal). U-14 Girls: Valaina Fernandes (The King's School, Sao Jose de Areal).
Chief guests Savio Medeira (Technical Director - Goa Football Association) and Sujay Gupta (Group Editor – O Heraldo Group) grace the event along with Melvin Pereira (Founder and President - TKSA), Ligia Pereira (Vice-President and CEO - TKSA), Christian Roldan (Sports Director - TKSA), principals, headmistresses, PE teachers and coaches and players from the school teams. The event saw young athletes from across the State recognised for their talent, dedication, and sportsmanship.
During the ceremony, video messages were displayed from Goa Football Association President Caitano Fernandes, Indian Super League Assistant Coach of Mohun Bagan Super Giant Clifford Miranda along with prominent international dignitaries from the UK, USA and Australia.
“The Next Gen League 1.0 culminated in a fabulous awards ceremony. We trust that this long league has given many students a lot of awesome playing time, of building confidence, stamina, strength, agility, and intelligent play. The league has also inculcated values of making friends, handling victories and learning through defeat, resilience, teamwork and balancing school life with football," stated Melvin and Ligia Pereira of The King’s Sports Academy in a press release.
"In short accomplishments on the turf that lead to real life achievements. The high-level professionalism, planning and prioritising was an important element. We are extremely grateful for the support of all the schools and a great team at TKS and TKSA,” they added.
