The Don Bosco Bicentenary State Level Football Tournament organized by The Don Bosco ITI Youth Centre, Madurai was inaugurated at 07.15 am on 12th August 2015 in the presences of Rev. Fr. Camillus Fernando (Rector and Parish Priest of Lourdes Shrine, Madurai), Rev. Fr. John Dharmanathan (Director, Deaddiction Ministry, INT Province), Rev. Fr. Rex (Assistant Parish Priest and Administrator of Lourdes Shrine, Madurai), Mr. C.R. Chinnadurai (Chairman – C.R. Engineering College), V.S.Ramasubramanian (District Sports and Youth Welfare Officer – Madurai), Mr. Sadhachalamm (Vice President – Madurai District Football Association & MD – RKN Residency), Mr. Jafferlal (Secretary – Trichy District Football Association) and Mr. Sokkanathan (Physical Director Saraswathi Narayanan College, Madurai).
16 Top Teams from the state, who are playing in the A division league in their respective district took part in the tournament. District A Division league toppers from Trichy, Salem, Tirunelvelli, Madurai, Dindigul, Tuticorin, and Chennai took part in the tournament. Good teams like Integral Coach Factory (ICF, Chennai), Sports Authority of India (SAI, Chennai), Tamilnadu Police, Sethu Institute of Technology, Jamal Mohammed College, St. Josephs College, Nehru Institute of Technology and South Zone Police participated in the tournament.
The Finals was played on the 16th of August 2015 at 3.30 pm between The Tamilnadu Police and The South Zone Police. Both the teams were declared as joint winners of the tournament, as the two teams were goal less when the match was stopped after an hour of play due to heavy rains. The First Prize Rs. 40000 (Fourty Thousand) was sponsored by Mr. C.R. Chinnadurai (Chairman – C.R. Engineering College and C.R. Constructions) in remembrance of his elder brother Late Mr. C. R. Anand (a good Footballer).The Second Prize Rs. 30,000 (Thirty Thousand) was sponsored by Mr. Seene Mohiadine (Secretary – Madurai District Football Association and CEO – Sethu Institute of Technology). There were also special awards for the Best Striker, Best Goal Keeper, Best Mid-fielder, Best Defender, Best Upcoming Forward, Promising Midfielder, and upcoming players.
The Concluding Ceremony was graced by Mr. Dhanush Kodi (Vice – President Tamilnadu Football Association, President Madurai District Football Association & MD Nippon Furniture), Mr. Solai Rajen (Vice – President Tamilnadu Olympic Association & President Tamilnadu Kabaddi Association), Mr. C.R. Chinnadurai (Chairman – C.R. Engineering College & CR Constructions), Mr. Seene Mohiadine (Secretary – Madurai District Football Association and CEO – Sethu Institute of Technology, Mr. Sadhachalamm (Vice President – Madurai District Football Association & MD – RKN Residency), Mr. Dhanaraj Alexander (LIC Regional Manager & Former Madras University Football Player) and many Football lovers of Madurai. A Ten KG Birthday Cake was cut and shared to celebrate the 200th birthday of our Father and founder St. John Bosco. Special Bicentenary Mementos were given to the chief guests, sponsors and well-wishers. A Talk on “Don Bosco Deeply human and deeply Holy” was given by Rev. Fr. Jegath Gasper. Football Boots were given to 25 promising young football players of the Don Bosco football Academy.
It was a great learning experience for our youth. It also acted as a motivation for budding Foot ball players in our Don Bosco Football Academy and Don Bosco Youth Centre. During the days of the tournament the Name and the Message of Don Bosco was spread at every opportunity. Posters containing the golden words of our beloved founder St. John Bosco were kept around the Football Field. Friends and Well Wishers of Don Bosco Youth Centre, Jawaharpuram, Madurai, had generously contributed towards the success of this five day Football Festival.