Fast, Inspiring & Challenging Softball Tourney for Men & Women Kicks off at ST Aloysius College
Mangaluru: For the next two-days, the Centenary Ground at St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru will be filled with excitement and thrill as the participants in the Managluru University Intercollegiate Softball Tournament for Men and Women 2018-19 will vie for the prestigious trophies by throwing their fastest ball at the inspiring and challenging tournament, which is organized by St Aloysius College in association with Mangalore University. 12 teams in Men category and 8 teams in Women category will be taking part in this tournament, where winners in Men section will receive the ‘BM Sukumar Shetty Rolling Trophy”, and Winners in Women section will receive ‘Shirva United House Gracy Machado Trophy”.
The inaugural ceremony began with a prayer song ” Thank You Lord” by the students of St Aloysius, followed by welcome address by Donnet D’souza-HOD of Dept of Physical Education, St Aloysius College, who also briefed about the tournament. The Tournament was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by chief guest Dr Kishore Kumar CK-Director, Dept of Physical education-Mangalore University, along with guest of honor-Venugopal Nonda-President, Mangalore University and College Physical Education Teachers Association, President of the function Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ-Principal, St Aloysius College, Dr A M Narahari-Registrar of SAC, and Arun M D’souza- Physical Education Director at SAC and Convener of the tournament. 
In his inaugural address, chief guest Dr Kishore Kumar said, “Mangalore University feels proud to be associated with St Aloysius College in organizing this softball tournament. I always get overwhelmed when I come to this college, because of the excitement and enthusiasm that is shown by the students in co-curricular activities and sports. It’s nice to note that St Aloysius College is providing ample opportunities for students in the field of sports, and encouraging them to shine and progress in sports. And with the College Principal Fr Praveen Martis SJ also showing keen interest in promoting sports activities, students should avail all the opportunities and involve in various sports as per their liking. With many students having exited out of this college and presently representing the state and national sports in various capacities, the present students should also follow in their footsteps and reach much more greater heights than their predecessors”.
Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ in his presidential address said, “I am really thrilled to see that so many teams have come here to take part in the tournament. Vince Lombardi, a famous American football coach, once said, “A quitter never wins and a winner never quits”. And we all have had the opportunity to apply the saying to a part of our lives, be it in a sports team, in academics, at work or even at relationships. A winner is someone who is determined to reach his goals, no matter how arduous the journey may be. A winner is ready to face challenges and obstacles that may come in between him and his goals. On the other hand, a quitter gets perturbed by challenges, and in the midst, gives up. Because he is not determined to face the difficulties, he never reaches his goal and is declared a quitter”.
“At Aloysius we encourage students to take up sports apart from their academics, and many of them have shined in various sports and brought us glory at district level. But I encourage them to reach higher and win at the state, national and international level. In today’s tournament not all can win, and you should remember that winning is not important, but your active and enthusiastic participation is what counts. You are all winners. I wish you a interesting and challenging game ahead” added Fr Martis SJ. 
Following the vote of thanks by PED of SAC Arun M D’souza, the tournament started in full swing. Miss Smitha Fernandes, an III B Com student of SAC compered the programme. The Closing Ceremony of the tournament will be held on 22 February 2019 with Dr Alwyn D’sa-Director, Administrative Block-SAC as chief guest, and Rev Dr Praveen Martis SJ-Principal of SAC presiding over the function.
