‘If I Can You Also Can Succeed in Sports’-International Athlete and chief guest Ms Shreema Priyadarshin, Indian Railways at 144th Annual Athletic Meet at St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), centenary ground, Mangaluru.
Mangaluru: This is the FIRST Annual Sports Meet held at St Aloysius College after it got the DEEMED TO BE UNIVERSITY Status after a long wait of 144 years. Aloysians have shown remarkable success in academics as well as in sports. To honour students who have achieved extraordinary accomplishments in sports, the College introduced the “HALL OF FAME” a section wherein all of the students who have created records in athletics and other sports events held in the St Aloysius University are noted throughout the many glorious years of the St Aloysius University. By introducing the “HALL OF FAME”, the college tried to encourage all the athletes to push themselves to achieve greater heights.
92 Teams of the College participated in the March past, to the St Aloysius Brass Band, and the Meet was inaugurated by releasing the balloons in the air. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest Ms Shreema Priyadarshini, international athlete, Indian Railways; expressed joy and said “I started in 2000 when I was 7 years old not knowing anything. I was fortunate to be in Mangaluru and if a girl from Mangaluru can achieve so much then why can’t I? I have lost medals so many times even at the nationals before I won my first national gold. With this example what I want to say is no matter what keep your goals high and keep working towards your goal and you can make the impossible possible. Sports gave me the courage and self-confidence not only to fight on track but also in my real life”
” I am a girl who will never give up, and that attitude came to me from sports. It has made me an independent and financially independent girl. Put your hard work into it and one day you will surely achieve what you dream of. There can only be one winner so don’t be sad just remember that either you win or you learn. If I could succeed in sports after a few failures, you too can after putting in your best efforts and overcoming the hurdles. Participation is more important than winning, so you should compliment the winners, rather than stay with an angry face. We are all winners in life” added Shreema.
Rector of St Aloysius Institutions Fr Melwin Pinto SJ in his presidential address said, ” Remember that you all are winners. Don’t worry as to who will win or who will lose. Participation is more important than winning. You also need to cheer and compliment those who succeed. In a sport not everyone will win, so your active participation is more important than winning. I want many of you to get into sports. The chief guest talked about hard work and persistence. It’s not important to win but it is important to keep on learning. If learning can go on, one can do wonderful things. Make sure you applaud everyone who wins today regardless of who they are and encourage them in their achievement and by this, you will become a good person.”
Dr Praveen Martis S J, in his address, expressed that, “Sports doesn’t build character but it renews it. We are celebrating the 144th annual athletic meet in 2024. This is a historical moment and will be remembered forever. As this programme will be done under (Deemed to be University), this same ground will be transformed and after two years a new ground will be complete. Physical fitness is important and always remember winners never quit and quitters never win.”
On this day all the students of St Aloysius degree, and post-graduate students along with their class held a march past with each class showcasing different themes and messages. On this occasion, students who have contributed and brought recognition to the institute in terms of sports and students who participated in the Republic Day Parade were felicitated.
Dr Praveen Martis S J delivered the welcome speech, and a vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Denis Fernandes On this occasion, Dr Charles Furtado, director, of the administration block, Dr Denis Fernandes, director/event coordinator, along with deans, all teaching and non-teaching staff and students were present on the occasion.