Nehru Cup inter-school hockey sees surge in participation across Goa

PANAJI

There has been a shifted increase in the number of schools taking part in the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs organised Nehru Cup inter school hockey tournament for U-17 (both boys and girls) and U-15 boys, going by the initial entries submitted by the school to DSYA.

Most of the schools which had not participated in the tournament last year, have made a comeback this year are from North Goa while Fr Agnel Multipurpose HS Verna is the lone school from South Goa which is returning to the inter school tournament after a gap of a few years.

Incidentally, the school has now got an astro turf which was inaugurated by two Olympians Joaquim Carvalho and Merwyn Fernandes.

The school has launched its youth development program where they are training the children starting from the Grade 2 and Grade 3.

Of the other South Goa schools, St Jude HS Betalbatim, and St Anthony High School Majorda are missing from the South Goa schools which took part last year.

Another South Goa school which had participating on a regular basis in the tournament Maria Bambina Convent HS Cuncolim, where Valanka D’Souza is a Physical Education teacher had submitted their entries for the two age group tournaments last year but pulled out of the event, stating that it clashes with their annual sport day and in the second event they also pulled out.

This year they have not submitted their entries in the Nehru Cup event for girls. The School besides the School section has also a Higher Secondary section.

Incidentally, Valanka is the Vice President of Goans Hockey, the parent body running the hockey affairs in the state.

In the U-15 boys’ section, 13 schools will be taking part including three from South Goa while in the U-17 boys 18 schools will be seen in action the list which includes seven from South Goa.

In the U-17 girls’ section, nine schools will take part including two from South Goa while the notable omissions are Damodar English HS Gudi and Damodar HSS Gudi.

The eligibility/age limit for sub junior and junior tournament is U-15 boys born on or after 1/11/2010 U-17 boys and girls on or after 1/11/2008.

THE PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS AND HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS

U-15 boys: Fr. Agnel HS Pilar, The Rosary High School Cujira, Honda HS Honda, St. Anthony HS Guirim, Damodar English HS Gudi, Holy Cross HS Bastora, Janata HS Mapusa, St. Britto HS Mapusa, St. Ann’s HS Thivim, Holy Cross HS Siolim, Perpetual Succour Convent HS Navelim, The Kings School SJA, Don Bosco HS Panaji

U-17 boys: Fr. Agnel HS Pilar, Rosary HSS Navelim, Honda, HS Honda St. Anthony HS Guirim, Damodar English HS Gudi Holy Cross HS Bastora, Janata HS Mapusa, St. Britto HS Mapusa, Fr. Agnel Multipurpose HSS Verna, Holy Cross HS Siolim, Perpetual Succour Convent HS Navelim, The Kings School SJA, Fr. Agnel Multipurpose HS Verna, St. Michaels HSS Taleigao, St. Xaviers HSS Mapusa, P Walawalkar HSS Mapusa, Damodar HSS Gudi, Diago Vaz HSS Colvale

U-17 girls: Fr. Agnel Central School Pilar, St. Xaviers HSS Mapusa, The Rosary HS Cujira, Honda HS Honda, Shri. Bhumika HSS Parye, St. Anthony HS Guirim, Holy Cross HS Bastora, Perpetual Succour Con HS Navelim, Fr. Agnel Multipurpose HSS Verna