Rosary rises to numero uno college

Rosary rises to numero uno college
BY MUMTAZ YAKUB SHAIKH
MARGAO, JAN 29
Academics, cultural and sports activities are the three areas that keep the competitive spirit among students alive. In fact, if the competition is at the inter-college level or for that matter even inter-school or inter-HSS, students strive to excel and be the best and when they receive whole-hearted support from their principal, faculty and management, it calls for a great celebration.
Rosary College, Navelim, an institution par excellence in sports today stands head and shoulders above the rest after winning the ‘best college in sports’ award with 44 points for the year 2009-10, at the closing ceremony of Silver Jubilee celebration of Goa University, ascertaining their supremacy in no uncertain terms.
Rosary participated in 16 various inter-college sports championships in 2009-10, of which they were successful  in 11 disciplines.
The college clinched six winner’s titles, four runners-up and two third spots. They emerged winners in cross country (men and women), cycling (men), tennikoit (women), handball (women) and judo (men). Runners-up positions were grabbed in athletics and handball (men), hockey and judo (women) while in power lifting and body building (men) they secured the bronze.
Seventeen students of Rosary participated in various inter-university and Goa State championships in the last academic year.
Besides, participating and winning the inter-college championships organised by Goa University, Rosary’s have even secured the first (girls) and third place (boys) at the inter-college cross country championship organised by Fr Agnel College, Pilar. They also emerged winners at all-Goa inter-college power-lifting and body-building championship organised by Goa College of Engineering, Farmagudi.
The college has also organised National Seminar on ‘modern trends in sports training methodology and yogic practices’ at the college premises. Besides, has even attended and participated in many such seminars and workshops.
Well, this season too, the college is all geared up to record history as they already have 50 points in their kitty with seven winners and four runners-up titles. Just another two championships to go and then will be the result time once again.
This year two boys from Rosary’s, Agnelo Fernandes and Jonathan Faleiro represented the victorious Goa University football team at the Inter-Universality football championship in Jabalpur while four girls, Agima Rodrigues, Ayesha Alvares, Zenia Fernandes and Geeta Azgaonkar are currently in Gwalior (M.P.) participating at the inter-University football championship.
“It feels great and I am elated because the hard work put in by our students and Francis (PE teacher) have borne fruits in such a form that we’ve been declared the best college in sports by the Goa University. I’m very proud of my students,” states Dr. (Fr) Simao Diniz, principal of Rosary College.
Being a sportsman himself in his younger days Fr Simao shows interest in the sports welfare of his college. To give his college team the necessary encouragement or a little extra boost, Fr Simon accompanies the team whenever they reach the finals. “Commitment, discipline and team work is what one needs to be at the top,” said Fr Simao. 
The college gives special preference to sports students at the time of admissions. In fact, Rosary’s has even produced the likes of IPL cricketer Shadab Jakati and Sharnifa D’Costa, State, National and international level athlete, informs Dr Francis Lobo, the Sports Director.
Sports students are given the required assistance to cope up in their studies: teachers upload the study material on the website and conduct extra classes. At the end of the year, the college felicitates outstanding sports students with certificates, medals, trophies and cash incentives. Besides, kits are also given away to the students when they emerge winners at inter-college championships.
“A long awaited dream of being the number one college in sports has been accomplished. For many years, we’ve been on the 2nd spot, but finally our turn has come. So I’m very happy and hope this year too, we succeed in clinching the title.” expressed Dr Francis.
“We plan our sports schedule well at the start of the year, analyse our strengths and weakness and try working on them. Students are provided with all the facilities and equipment needed. They are also given refreshments after two hours of practice we put in everyday. In order to bring out the hidden talents in the students, we organise annual sports meet, inter-class and inter-house tournaments; so that no talent is ignored and the college team comprises best players,” informed Francis.
Francis has completed 19 years of his service in the college and wishes to the take the college in terms of sports, miles ahead. He wants to maintain the consistency and improve the infrastructure in the future.
When asked on his take on the semester system education, this is what Dr Francis says, “The semester system has its own advantages and disadvantages. No doubt there is plenty of talent, but the educational system is such that we can’t help it. Whenever the ISA’s are approaching we have to stop our practices so that the students concentrate on studies.”
“I only wish and hope that colleges too are awarded cash prizes likewise the schools and HSS are awarded if they win the first place in any discipline at inter-school level. This financial support will help the college in the development of its infrastructure and so also we can increase the cash incentives awarded to the students,” opined Francis.
Besides Dr Francis, the students have also been trained by SAG coach Jane D’Silva, in handball and John Xavier, lecturer in economics, Rosary College in cricket.
Savira Pires, sports secretary and Abhishek Lotlikar, power lifting champ of Rosary expressed their views stating, “Our teachers have been very supportive with regards to our studies. We only hope and wish that in the near future the Sports Policy is implemented at the college level as well, so that students get the increase in their percentage and it will also attract more students to participate in sports.”