AICS Inter School Basketball Tournament – Bouncing Stars

The AICS (Association of ICSE and CBSE Schools of D.K and Udupi districts) Basketball Tournament – ‘Bouncing stars’ was inaugurated on our school grounds on Saturday, November 17th, 2018. The atmosphere at the school was vibrant with the expectation of the several teams – a total of 25 of boys and girls from different CBSE and ICSE schools of D.K and Udupi districts, all awaiting the big moment. “Talents win games, but team work and intelligence win champions,” were the opening words of the host of the event, Ms. Agnes Pereira, Computer Lecturer of our school.

The Chief Guest of the inaugural ceremony was Mr. Kishore Kumar B, Regional Manager of State Bank of India, Mangaluru. He was accompanied by the Joint Secretary of the school Sr. Maria Jyothi, Administrator Sr. Carissima, Principal Sr. Melissa, Mr. Naveen Shetty, President of Mangaluru Basketball Club and PTA vice President Mr. Ryan Lobo, upon arrival. The programme began with an invocation to God by the school choir, seeking His blessings. A colourful and rhythmic welcome dance made everyone feel at home on the campus. The dignitaries were then escorted to the dais. The Principal gave the welcome address. The tournament was inaugurated by lighting the Diya by the dignitaries. The Chief Guest addressed the gathering and inspired and encouraged the players with his message. Ms. Melissa delivered the vote of thanks. Mr. Deepak, Physical Director of Sharada Residential School, Udupi instructed the teams about the tournament rules. Bouncing the ball on the ground and shooting it into basket, the Chief Guest officially declared the tournament open. The Chief Guest and other dignitaries then met all the teams and wished them well.

The tournament was held simultaneously on the school grounds and at U S Mallya basketball stadium.

The chief guest of the evening, Mr. Jayanth, a retired officer of the State Bank of India and eminent basket ball coach, along with the other dignitaries wished the teams before the finals of Boys match – Cambridge School vs Little Rock Indian School, Brahmavara. After some very tense moments, which had the audience biting their fingernails, the Cambridge School Boys team emerged victorious against the Little Rock Indian School. In the Girls final match, the Lourdes Central School girls were in prime form as they surged to victory against St. Theresa’s School. It was truly an exciting end to a great tournament.

The valedictory function at the indoor court began with a prayer song, followed by the welcome address by the Vice-Principal, Sr. Lidwyn Pinto. The Chief Guest addressed the gathering briefly, expressing his joy to be present at the tournament and appreciated the students for their whole hearted participation. Mr. Shyju, the Physical Instructor of Little Rock Indian School, addressed the gathering commenting on the wonderful participation of the students and commending the host school on its painstaking arrangements in hosting this tournament.

Ms. Sylvia Fernandes compared the programme while Ms. Philomena Pinto proposed the vote of thanks. The last and most eagerly awaited event of the evening was the felicitation of the winners and runners up. In the girl’s category, Lourdes Central School Bejai was the winners and St. Theresa’s School, Bendore, the runner up. In the boy’s category, the winner’s trophy was bagged by Cambridge School, Mangaluru and the runner up by Little Rock Indian School, Brahmavara. The programme ended with the singing of the National Anthem.