Team Herald
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PANJIM: Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, and Sonics A emerged champions in the U-17 boys and girls categories of All-Goa Fr Benedict Furtado 5-a-side Basketball Tournament for U-10, U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-17 held at Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, recently.
Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, were the runners-up in the U-17 boys and girls. The best players were Aaron Ponraj from Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, and Enira Fernandes from Sonics A.
In the U-16 boys category, Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, were the winners, while runners-up were Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda. The best player was Avner Mendonca from Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim. In the girls category, Sonics A were the winners, while runners-up were Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda,. The best player was Kim D’Souza from Sonics A.
In the U-14 boys category, the winning team was Don Bosco High School, Panjim, and the runners-up, Loyola Ignitus, Margao. The best player was Fahim Shaikh from DBHS, Panjim. In the girls category, the winning team was Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda, and the runners-up, Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim. The best player was Natalie Fernandes from Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda.
In the U-12 boys category, Loyola, Margao were the winners and the runners-up, Don Bosco, Fatorda. The highest scorer and best player was Adriel Rosario from Loyola; and the most disciplined player was Tanay Rane. In the girls category, the winning team was Don Bosco, Fatorda, and the runners-up, Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim. The highest scorer and best player was Eva Mascarenhas from Don Bosco Oratory; and the most disciplined player was Elaine Do Rosario from Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim.
In the U-10 category (mixed boys & girls), the winning team was Loyola (A), Margao, and the runners-up, Loyola (B), Margao. The highest scorer and best player was Varian Caeiro from Loyola (A) and the most disciplined player was Ishanvi Chintis from Don Bosco, Panjim.
For the prize distribution function, Provincial of Goa - Konkan Fr Clive Telles was the chief guest along with other dignitaries Don Bosco, Panjim, Rector Fr Tamatur Cardozo; Don Bosco School, Panjim, Principal Fr Avin Carvalho;
Assistant Director of the Oratory Fr Jason Coelho; Economer of the INP Province Fr Francis Silveira; Director of Don Bosco Colloge Fr Kinley D’Cuz; Fr Tony Alamo, former Goa Basketball Association (GBA) Secretary and current member of GBA Pan India Fr Ralin; GBA President Shane Dias, GBA Secretary Parind Nochinolkar, Referee In-Charge of GBA Olencio Dias, former officio member of GBA Maria Helen, former officio member and referee Flobert Monteiro.
Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, Director Br James Marcus, thanked two special veterans namely Olencio Dias, who is still on the court passionately training basketball players, and Luis Fernandes, who himself was trained by Fr Benedict Furtado, and is a close collaborator with Don Bosco Oratory, who with persistent zeal continues to coach children to become skilled basketball players.
In his address, Provincial of Goa Fr Clive Telles said that Fr Benedict Furtado, was the friend of youngsters, many of whom ultimately attracted to his enthusiasm and devout lifestyle also became priests.