Goa: The Kiran Niketan Primary School (KNPS) Zuarinagar, Birla organized a first-ever friendly football match on 26 March 2022 in the morning hours on Kiran Niketan School ground in the cherished memory of Rev. Fr. Faustino de Souza, Founder of Congregation of Holy Family Sisters (SFN), Sancoale, Goa, on the occasion of his 47th Death Anniversary.
Teacher Maria Da Costa accorded a welcome address to the Chief Guest and the other dignitaries with floral bouquets. This was followed by a welcome dance by Kiran Niketan Primary School, students.
The purpose of the event was to uphold the spirit of founder Fr. Faustino who was fond of children and brought out the best in them by tapping their talents so that they make good leaders.
This event was hosted by KNPS in the slum area of Zuarinagar to cherish the great love our founder had towards the poor and the marginalized.
The first Match was contested between St Joseph Vaz Primary School and Team A of Kiran Niketan Primary School wherein Kiran Niketan Primary School emerged as winners with a score of 2-3.
In the second match contested by St Joseph Convent Primary School and Team B of Kiran Niketan Primary School, St. Joseph Convent Primary School walked away with the trophy.
The teams who played for the Friendly Matches were from St. Joseph Convent Primary School Nagoa Verna, Kiran Niketan Primary School Zuarinagar Team A, St. Joseph Vaz Primary School Sancoale and Kiran Niketan Primary School Zuarinagar Team B.
The first friendly football match, best player trophy was awarded to Akash Kijur of Kiran Niketan Primary school and best goal keeper award was given to Vinay Madar of St Joseph Vaz Primary School.
The Best Player for the Second friendly match was Adler Rebello of St. Joseph Convent Primary School Nagoa Verna and the Best Goal keeper was Dhanaraj Pammar of Kiran Niketan Primary School Zuarinagar.
The chief guest Ms Velanie Fernandes, Captain of FC Goa Women Team praised the talent and potentials of the upcoming tiny players who would surely in the future bring laurels in the field of Football.
Fernandes applauded the management:ย You have really done so much for the children here. I’ve never seen such keen interest and such a work being done for these children. I do appreciate the good work done towards encouraging children to be active on the ground.
She added: It is good to see that children are made so efficient and to be active at a young age. I would rather say during my childhood days there was no one to encourage us like this. I really salute the good work of Sr. Berna and the Sisters here.
My one message to the children said Fernandes: โGive your best as the best is being done for youโ
The Guest of Honour Sr. Berna Rodrigues Superior General of SFNs, appreciated the gracious presence of the Chief Guest and expressed her joy that the ground used by the children for the last 4 years to practice has been realised today a dream fulfilled with the spectacular performance of the young footballers of our primary schools and will eventually give rise to great footballers.
She thanked Sr. Anny Fernandes SFN the Manager for organising the same.
Sr. Rodrigues said, โI would like to hold on record in gratitude the efforts of the FC Coaches and the Staff of Kiran Niketan Primary School in making this event successful.โ
The event was witnessed by Sisters of Holy Family Congregation, friends and the villagers.
The villagers present for the match commented, โThis event was a great one for us as it has happened within our vicinity with our children and for our children.โ
โWe are glad Sisters are helping our children towards an all-around development,โ said Mrs Hazra sheikh.
โOur children were all excited to give their best. It was a good start initiated by the Sisters who have the well-being of our children at heart commented,โ Pinky Jadhav.