Don Bosco Oratory Inter School Basketball Championship

United Indian School, Lifted the Prestigious Don Bosco Oratory Basketball Championship overall Trophy for 2016.

By Katty Duarte

Kuwait 31^st Jan 2016 – Salmiya: Don Bosco Oratory, Kuwait held their 13^th Annual Inter School Basketball Championship 2016 for boys and girls under 12 / 14 and 16 years of age.

The tournament was played on a league cum knock out basis. Schools participating this year were:

United Indian School / Indian Central School (UIS) / Carmel School Kuwait (CSK) / India International School – Mangaf (IISM) / Fahaheel Al Wataniya Indian Private School (DPS) / Indian English Academy School (IEAS) / Indian Educational School (IES) / Indian Central School (ICS)

This is DBO’s annual event organized in January, however request have been made to hold this Championship at a later month as it coincides with Board and other exams. The DBO committee members will look at October / November waiting for the New Scholastic Calendar, Championship coordinator Philip Duarte said “You understand true meaning of team spirit displayed by the young players. This is what builds children in life to go out and face this challenging world.”

Christopher Fernandes, overlooking all DBO events said “it is great to see young players having such enthusiasm and high level energy in the different age groups. This helps and give children good break from their hectic studies routine. Sports help children to develop their personalities, identify their strengths and the type of sports they love to play, opening a complete new dimension for them to choose. I for one is a strong believer that Studies and Sports both creates a good mix in life. It is important for all schools to implement basic understanding to the various sports, making it a subject where Physical Education Teachers explains the basis rules of various sports. Get students enroll in programmes exposing them to sports. It is the duty of Parents also to encourage their children to play a sport which develops mind and body.”

Indian English Academy School, basketball coach Clarence Pires said, the competition is now getting tougher in all categories you don’t see the same school now winning in all the category, new schools are now standing up to the competition. It’s the hard work of the coaches and the students that you see results on the court. Win or lose it does not matter; it’s the team spirit that counts which builds an understanding among players as they grow. Said Mr. Pires,

The Organizers thanked: IEAS for their Premises and the support from the Management, Don Bosco Past Pupils for sponsoring the runners up trophies, The Pilipino Basketball Referee Association, Fast Logistics and Air Oceanic Freight Services for their sponsorship and support.

This year the organizers invited the parents of the children to present the awards in the various categories, in appreciation for their support and presence supporting the schools and their children, Chief Guest Fr. Blany Pinto- sdb and Guest of Honor Fr. Franco Pereira- sdb, spoke of the importance why sports are important in a child’s life and how it helps them to develop and handle pressure. Parents and teachers / coaches play an important role on discipline.

Finals results

Boys under 16 years played between Fahaheel Al Watanieh Indian Private School (DPS) and Carmel School Kuwait (CSK) was a delight to watch, complete entertainment for the huge crowd of parents and friends who flocked to watch. The absorbing final witnessed fast game from both sides. The first two quarters was all CSK leading by 22 points was comfortably placed. A keenly fought final was such that the last quarters saw neck to neck fight. In the last 3 minutes of the game, DPS took a marginal but an important lead. With the score line 56 / 52, and DPS taking the trophy home for the hands of CSK.

In the girls under 16 years, Indian English Academy School (IEAS) carved out a comfortable win over their opponents United Indian School (UIS) by 32 / 10 the combination of Shania, Vishakha, Miriam and Vinni steer their side to victory. It was our impressive win over UIS who have been dominating this category and are considered one of the best. My team played well and it’s thanks to our Coach Clarence with whose guidance we were able to achieve this victory, said the Ms. Shania, team captain of IEAS.

Other results:

Winners Boys under 12 years – UIS beat DPS 46/9

Winners Boys under 14 years – UIS beat IISM 64/38

Winners Girls under 12 years – CSK beat UIS 24/8

Winners Girls under 14 years – UIS beat IEAS 18/13

Overall Standings: 1^st 2^nd 3^rd 4^th

Boys under 12 UIS DPS IES IISM

Girls under 12 CSK UIS IEAS DPS

Boys under 14 UIS IISM IES ICS

Girls under 14 UIS IEAS CSK ICS

Boys under 16 DPS CSK ICS UIS

Girls under 16 IEAS ICS UIS DPS