PANAJI
The Diocesan Youth Centre (DYC), Goa, recently organized its annual 11-A-Side All Goa Parish Youth Football Tournament – the ‘Archbishop’s Trophy’ – at the Navelim Parish ground.
Eighteen deaneries sent their finalists after holding Deanery Youth Football Tournaments, bringing together 114 parishes at the Deanery level. In addition, 5-A-Side girls’ teams participated in tie-breaker matches from each deanery. The DYC emphasized that the tournament aims to foster sportsmanship, unity, friendship, and youth empowerment.
The opening ceremony uniquely combined prayer with a focus on St. Carlo Acutis and his passion for football. Captains carried their parish and deanery flags, accompanied by the DYC flag held by Fr. Blaise. Guests of Honour Aaren D’Silva, FC Goa player, and Velanie Fernandes, renowned India Women’s footballer, formally declared the tournament open.
Several priests and Deanery Priest Youth Animators (DPYAs) supported the youth throughout, including Fr. Gabriel Coutinho, Fr. Clive Dias, Fr. Mario Costa, Fr. Leslie Rego, Fr. Jason Travasso, Fr. Jovial (DPYA Raia), Fr. Baltazar (DPYA Canacona), and Fr. Leslie (DPYA Old Goa).
In the girls’ final, Chinchinim Deanery (Chinchinim Parish) defeated Pernem Deanery (Arambol Parish) to lift the title. The boys’ final saw Margao Deanery (Fatorda Parish) triumph over Mapusa Deanery (Mapusa Parish) to claim the Archbishop’s Trophy. Guests of Honour Mathew Colaco, Premier League Kicks coach for Watford FC, and Macan Pereira, head coach for U-16 Dempo Sports Club, presented the trophies to winners and runners-up.
Individual accolades went to Joel (Mapusa Deanery, Mapusa Parish) as Best Goalkeeper, Jeff (Margao Deanery, Fatorda Parish) as Best Defender, and Milder (Margao Deanery, Fatorda Parish) as Best Striker.
