Football Tournament
The Archbishop’s Trophy
First Inter Deanery Football Tournament (Boys U-16)
The Sports Squad for Christ is a ministry of the church formed on the initiative of the Late Holy Father Pope John Paul II who started the church and sports section under the Pontifical Council for the Laity at the Vatican in 2004.
The Holy Father who himself was an ardent sports person and a skiing champion himself said “I consider sports as an instrument of education when it fosters high human and spiritual ideals; when it forms youth in an integral way in values such as loyalty, perseverance, friendship, solidarity and peace. Surmounting differences of cultures and ideologies, sports offers an ideal occasion for dialogue and understanding among peoples, for building the desired civilization of love. To put into practice these values, based on the dignity of the human person, in face of possible interests that might darken the nobility of sports itself.ʺ (Sept. 16, 2002)
We are very much aware that sportsmen and women including the world renowned Brazilian footballer Kaka use their athletic ability to spread the news of Jesus; they’re just becoming more organized. Responding to Pope John Paul II’s call to use athletics as a field of evangelization, Sports Squad For Christ was formed in 2009 to spread the gospel in and through the world of sports. Though it worked only in some parishes it finally got its nod from the Archbishop of Goa Most Rev. Fillip Neri Ferrao recently which has a very strong biblical standpoint.
“Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.” 1 Corinthians 9:24‐25
The SSC recognizes that the imperishable crown offered by Jesus Christ far exceeds any of the perishable crowns or trophies offered by this world. As a Catholic program, SSC upholds Christian values and principles. Though our athletic teams strive to win in the sense of having the best score, we recognize the real value of Catholic athletics is realized only if it fosters the development of the human person—both in spirit and in body—by cultivating Christian character, strengthening personal integrity and responsibility, and promoting the pursuit of excellence in all endeavors.
In view of the above the SSC proposed to the Clergy of Goa the organization of the Archbishop’s trophy Inter Deanery football Tournament which was quickly accepted by the Archdiocese of Goa. The main objective of the tournament was to lead the players to the true knowledge of Christ.
It was to provide an opportunity for the boys in the age of 12 to 16 years to exhibit their talent and thank God for it. This tournament would now certainly help to develop teams at the parish level and to develop a platform to encourage them to take up sports as a meaningful career. In a world full of inactivity leading to sickness and disease, the tournament helped to develop a sports culture leading to healthy living habits.
Once these youth get rooted in Christ they could contribute significantly to the church as they learnt lessons on leadership through life skills training etc. It was also seen as a tool to promote vocations.
Develop friendship and unity among young budding talent was seen due to the event. The event will leave behind a legacy for all other diocese in the country to follow the model which is one of the prime focus of the SSC.
Margao Deanery defeated Chinchinim Deanery in the finals to lift the Archbishop Trophy in the First Inter Deanery Football Tournament held at the Fr. Agnel’s Ground-Pilar. The Tournament was jointly organized by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman in association with the Sports Squad for Christ. The Tournament attracted 168 young boys in the age category of 12-16 years from 14 deaneries of Goa at a call given by the Archbishop Most Rev. Fillip Neri Ferrao .
The boys had played 25 games over the 2 days and it had the preliminary rounds with six groups with one team qualifying for the semifinal with Chinchinim, Ponda and Marmagoa deanery in Pool A and Sanguem, Margao and Verna in Pool B that qualified. It was finally Margao and Chinchinim who made it to the finals and finally Margao deanery won the tournament.
It was Myron Mendes of Sanguem Deanery who was adjudged the Best player of the Tournament while¬¬ Aaren D’Silva of Ponda Deanery was the Highest Scorer and John Fernandes of Chinchinim Deanery was the Best Goalkeeper. In the Skills test Daniel Fernandes of Benaulim Deanery was the winner.
The Tournament was officially inaugurated with an Eucharistic Celebration led by His Grace the Archbishop and a kind of history was created with players in their football kit attending the mass in the middle of the football field with a football as an altar. Andrew Dias of Myles High and Peter Vaz of Models supported the event.
The prizes were distributed by His Grace the Archbishop Fillip Neri Ferrao and was all praise for the steps taken by SSC to promote evangelization and discipleship in the Church.