DIVYADAAN, NOVEMBER 10, 2010: As the slogan of FIFA goes, “For the good of the game”, November 7, 2010 was an exciting day for all the youth of different parishes of the diocese Nashik as we had the inter-parish football tournament. Besides this we also had a throw-ball tournament for the girls. This year, the inter-parish football tournament was organized by the youth of St. Patrick’s, Devlali. A lot of preparation had gone into the setting up for this tournament and there is no doubt that the youth did a commendable job.
Altogether, four parishes had taken part in the tournament, St. Patrick (Devlali), Don Bosco (Nashik), St. Anne (Nashik Road) and Sacred Heart (Igatpuri). The tournament began with a short prayer led by Fr. Ivo Coelho sdb, after which the match kicked-off with St. Patrick’s and Don Bosco’s as the first ones to play the match. There were a lot of skills and tactics displayed on the ground but more than just that it was nice to see the cordiality that was there among the teams. It was a wonderful occasion for all the youth of the diocese to come together and share their joy. Since there were only four teams, a league system was followed. Ironically, the teams that began with the first match also played in the finals (that is St. Patrick and Don Bosco). For a minute it seemed as though the match was going to go into penalties but when Trent, one of the members of the St. Patrick’s football team fired a fierce shot into the top corner of the goal, it changed the full situation. Thus, St. Patrick’s defeated Don Bosco by a single goal. The tournament ended with an inspirational message by Fr. Ivo in which he congratulated the winning team and the participants, exhorting them to use the same youthful spirit for the greater glory of God.All in all, the youth had a good time and I am sure that they will have many good moments to take home.