Media Release

Mangaluru, Nov 21: Lourdes Central School (LCS) organised the spectacular Annual Sports Meet 2022 for the secondary and senior secondary section on Saturday, November 19 at Mangala Stadium.

The dignitaries present on the occasion were the chief guest Prasamsha Bhandary, wildlife biologist and scientific officer, Pilikula Zoo, Mangaluru, Dr John Baptist Saldanha, the manager, Fr Robert DSouza, the principal; Belita Mascarenhas and Anitha Thomas, the vice principals; Ashok Pinto, vice president and Preethi Gomes, secretary, Bejai Parish Pastoral Parishad, escorted by the convenor Vishwanath Devadiga.

The inaugural programme began with the prayer song ‘Bless This Beautiful Day’ sung by the school choir. This was followed by the school parade headed by the head boy Aryan Srivastav, the head girl Amna Javed, the house captains and vice captains with their respective houses marching to the beat of the band. The ‘platoons and brigades’ of Lourdites gave a stunning performance through the march past. The school flag was ceremonially carried by the worthy sportsmen of the school – Shamit R Kumar, Diya N Yashodhar, Portia Furtado and Saaket Manjrekar for the flag raising ceremony.

The chief guest Prasamsha Bhandary hoisted the flag. The sports torch was borne by athletes Nahan Shetty, Nirmit Pai, Parikshit Shetty, Aditi Acharya, Chinmayi, Clare DSouza, Diya Alva and Shubhan Das. The chief guest Prasamsha Bhandary received the torch and declared the sports meet open. To rejuvenate the spirit of true sportsmanship, the sports minister Shamith R Kumar led the oath and recited the pledge. The students gave an impressive spectacle of harmony and discipline through the mass drill. The school band in symphony complemented the drill.

On this joyful occasion, Belita Mascarenhas, the vice principal delivered the welcome address. The chief guest Prasamsha Bhandary, addressed the gathering and shared her experiences and motivated the students to follow their passion. She said that her journey at LCS was beautiful as importance is given to both curricular and co-curricular activities, and LCS has been the top educational institution in the city and she is proud to be a Lourdite. She stated that being physically fit is important but being mentally fit is equally important. She expressed that sports helps one to channelize their strength and to be positive. She urged the students to be kind, believe in themselves and to have a ‘never give up’ attitude.

Fr Dr John Baptist Saldanha, the president of the function gave his message and said that a healthy mind in a healthy body makes one holistic. His expectation from students was to have exceptional qualities to lead an integrated life. He highlighted that if the students at LCS are swift and fit, it is because of Fr Robert D'Souza, the principal, as he is the best example of the same. He told the students to inculcate a positive spirit and wished them a bright future.

Veerendra Alva, the PT instructor and Convenor of the programme delivered the vote of thanks. House system song was sung with vigour and gusto. Vivita DSouza welcomed the gathering for the Valedictory Ceremony. Fr Robert DSouza, the principal; Belita Mascarenhas and Anitha Thomas, the vice principals felicitated the winners of the relay and individual champions.

Individual Champions are as follows:
Class VI Girls’ Category: Dhanvi Rai of Coral House
Class VI Boys’ Category: Nerukshith U P of Opal House
Class VII and VIII Girls’ Category: Araina Kamath of Amber House and Diya Alva of Jade House
Class VII and VIII Boys’ Category: Rithvik S of Amber House
Class IX and X Girls’ Category: Trisha H of Coral House
Class IX and X Boys’ Category: Manvik Shetty of Coral House
Class XI and XII Girls’ Category: Sristi Kille of Coral House
Class XI and XII Boys’ Category: Vernon Dantis of Opal House

The rolling shield was awarded to coral house and the runners up shield to opal house. The rolling shield was awarded to opal house for best march past. The convenor of the annual sports day, Vishwanath Devadiga proposed the vote of thanks. The lowering of the school flag which marks the end of the closing ceremony was done ceremoniously in the presence of the principal and vice principals. The programme ended with the singing of the national anthem.

Deepa D'Souza, Seema Madtha, Vivita D’Souza and Noeleen Pais anchored the programme. Vishwanath Devadiga and Veerendra Alva were the convenors of the Annual Sports Meet 2022.