Pics: Anush Pandith

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Aug 18: On the occasion of vicennial year celebrations, Lourdes Central School, Bejai hosted AICS (Association of ICSE and CBSE Schools) chess tournament ‘Bright Spark -2018’ on August 18 at Bejai Church Hall here.

Catholic Board of Education secretary Fr Antony Michael Serra and correspondent Lourdes Central School Fr Wilson Vitus D' Souza inaugurated the tournament by symbolically moving the chess pawns.

Fr Rohan Lobo, assistant parish priest , Bejai, Velita Mascarenhas, vice-president, Parent Teacher Association, Conney Saldanha, secretary, parish pastoral council, Bejai, Derick Pinto, Prasanna of Derick's Chess School, Roman D Souza and Veena Amrith were on the dais.

In his inaugural speech, Fr Antony Serra said that chess is not only a game but it also has a good message. “When we play this game, we forget ourselves and concentrate on chess board. Every move makes big changes in the game. It is a very good lesson to our lives also. We should always focus on our goals. Our every move should be careful and watchful at the same time,”

“In competitions there will be tough fight between each other. Everyone will look for victory. But it should be in a constructive way. If you win, it doesn't mean that your opponent is destroyed. We should not see opponent's loss in negative way," he added.

In his presidential speech Fr Wilson said that board games always help to sharpen our brains. “Chess came from Indian sub-continent and reached all over the world. It will help to keep our minds healthy. If children start playing chess, they can learn strategy of the game and plans. It makes them brilliant and helps in their studies also. So the children should be encouraged to play chess.,”

“I commend the organizing committee for a wonderful tournament. At the same time, I wish all the best to all the participants and their managers," he added.

Fr Robert D Souza, principal, Lourdes Central School, welcomed the dignitaries and participants. Anita Pinto rendered vote of thanks.

80 teams of under the age of 14 and 17 (mixed group) from 3 districts of Karnataka are participating in the tournament.

Valedictory ceremony

The tournament began with an unbelievable participants of more than 390 students from 39 schools, ICSE and CBSE of Dakshina Kananda and Udupi districts. The tournament comprised of five rounds and the winners were decided on the final calculations of points.

Closing ceremony of the tournament with a prayer song by LCS choir.

Vice-principal Belita Mascarenhas welcomed the gathering.

Principal Fr Robert D’Souza delivered the message of the day.

Manager Fr Wilson Vitus D’Souza was the chief guest for the valedictory function which began at in the church hall and gave away the under-17 category championship to Lourdes Central School.

1. Pradyumn V Shetty
2. Aditya D Silva
3. Niranjan Rajeev
4. Aathish B Shetty
5. Mayank M Shetty

He also gave away the under-14 category winners to Madhava Kripa English Medium School, Manipal.

1. Chinmayi
2. Thanmai
3. Sumukha K Nayak
4. Shanmukh K Nayak
5. Shreeda Kamath

Principal Fr Robert D’Souza honoured the under 17 category runners-up to Mount Carmel Central School and under-14 category runners up to Vidyodaya Public School.

Vice-principal Belita Mascarenhas distributed the board prizes to under-17 category and under-14 category.

Triveni, the physical trainer of LCS rendered the vote of thanks.

Della Colaco compered the programme.