Media Release
Mangaluru, Jul 25: Despite the rain-drenched morning, the spirits of the athletes were high as they gathered in the main hall of St Theresa’s School for the inaugural AICS Interschool Table Tennis Tournament, "Champion Champ," on Thursday, July 25.
Distinguished guests graced the occasion, including Dr Rohan Monis as chief guest, Gowtham Shetty as guest of honour, Sr Shaila, correspondent of St Theresa's School, Sr Lourdes, principal of St Theresa’s School, Nitish PM, chief official, Collette Cabral, PTA vice president, and Anita, physical instructor at St Theresa’s School.
The ceremony began with a prayer dance by the talented students of St Theresa's, invoking blessings. Sr Lourdes welcomed everyone and encouraged students to excel in sports and all life endeavors. She introduced the chief guest, Dr Rohan Monis, to the gathering.
In his address, Dr Monis, the chief administrative officer of Kanachur Hospital and Research Centre, emphasized sportsmanship, discipline, and hard work, inspiring participants to strive for excellence. He narrated a short story about Maria, a famous athlete, encouraging children to drive social change through selfless service and to embrace challenges for social impact.
The tournament was creatively inaugurated by Dr Rohan Monis and other dignitaries, with Sr Shaila officially declaring the "Champion Champ" Table Tennis Tournament 2024 open.
Maria D'Souza proposed a vote of thanks.
Gowtham Shetty, vice president of the Karnataka Table Tennis Association, briefed the participants on the rules and regulations of the competition. As the tournament began, anticipation for thrilling matches and memorable moments of triumph filled the air. Prafulla Fernandes expertly compered the inaugural program.
Closing ceremony
The event concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony attended by dignitaries, students, coaches, Physical Education instructors, and staff. The MC, Savita Pinto, greeted the audience warmly. On the dais were Sr Shaila, president of the day' s event, Gowtham Shetty, guest of honour, Nitish PM, Sr Lourdes, and Collette Cabral.
Sr Shaila addressed the gathering, praising the participants for their hard work and enthusiasm and commending St. Theresa's School for hosting the tournament. The highlight of the closing ceremony was the prize distribution. Trophies and certificates were awarded to the winning teams, with results announced by Doreen D'Souza:
Under 14 Girls
1. St Theresa's School
2. Mount Carmel School
3. Delhi Public School
Under 14 Boys
1. St Theresa's School
2. SDM Mangaluru
3. Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Vidya Kendra
Under 17 Girls
1. St Theresa's School
2. Mount Carmel School
3. St Mary's Central School
Under 17 Boys
1. Delhi Public School
2. St Theresa's School
3. Mount Carmel School Mangalore
The referees Elson, Vian, Aditya, Harsha, Kaushal and Harna were thanked for the for their commendable efforts in judging the competition.
Savita Albuquerque and Shilly Prakash served as the announcers for the day's table tennis event. Ashwin D and Rajesh G creatively crafted a beautiful backdrop on stage, making the event truly special.
The program concluded with the singing of the National Anthem, marking the end of a successful and memorable tournament.