PANJIM: Holy Cross, Baradi clinched the top spot in 4th NIVIA All-Goa Altar Severs Sports Festival football while St Thomas, Aldona annexed the girls title in throwball organized by Vocation Commission for Diocesan Clergy in association with John Paul II foundation for Sport (Goa) at Saligao Seminary, Saligao.
Holy Cross, Baradi overcame the challenge of Our Lady of Good Success, Nagao 3-1 via the tie-breaker after the match ended goalless during regular time. In the tie-breaker, Magson was the hero, pulling off two saves. He was adjudged best player of the finals.
In the girls final St. Thomas, Aldona came from behind after having lost the first set and trailing in the second set to overcome a slightly overconfident St Sebastian, Aquem and finally winning the throwball event which was introduced for the first time.
In the semi-finals played in the morning Our Lady of Good Success, Nagao overcame St Anne’s, Ponda by a solitary goal scored by Mison to make it to the finals. The ultimate champions of the day Holy Cross, Baradi were winners all the way as they scored a facile 4-0 victory over a tired Our Lady of Piety, Uggem who played three matches at a stretch in the morning session. Hayden, Ryan, Gladus and Joshua scored for the Baradi boys.
Felix Pais of St Anne’s, Ponda was adjudged best goalkeeper while Mison and Cyrus from Our Lady of Good Success (Nagao, Verna) with four goals each were the highest scorers. Desmond Pereira from Our Lady of Piety, Uggem was given the best player of the tournament prize.
In the girls throw ball prizes were won by Denzy and Alexandra from St Thomas, Aldona, Evelyn Furtado from St Sebastian (Aquem), Joyanna Menezes from Arpora and Nisha from Tilamol.
An exhibition match between the Diocesan Priests team against the best boys of the tournament saw the priests winning 3-1. Yunal Fernandes first scored for the boys team but later three goals in a row came from Fr Domnic Savio Rodrigues, Bro. Snyter and Fr Benson Culaso for the priests.
Archbishop of Goa Filipe Neri Ferrao was the chief guest for the final day’s programme. He congratulated the efforts of the Vocation Commission for Diocesan Clergy in association with John Paul II foundation for Sport (Goa) for conducting month long sports festival involving more than 120 parish teams in all over a period of a month. Jennifer Gonsalves was the guest of honour while Fr Tony Salema, Rector of Saligao Seminary presided.
Fr Derick Fernandes, Director of VCDC welcomed. The festival was sponsored by Freewill Sports and DSYA.
