Dempo Sports Club have begun their youth football season with the 4th edition of the annual Maccabeus Rodrigues memorial U-14 inter-school tournament which was held on July 13 at the Fr. Agnel school grounds.

Keeping in line with their youth development ethos, Dempo SC supported the annual tournament which was being organised by Fr. Agnel Youth Center, Pilar.

The Panjim based club had entered into a MoU for football development with Fr. Agnel High School earlier this month; support to this tournament was a part of their overall community and youth development plan.

This event saw participation from over 300 students from 16 schools across Goa. Alberto Colaco, General Secretary of Dempo SC inaugurated the tournament. He expressed his happiness for the event and wished luck to the gathered teams. Students also participated in the fun games organised by Dempo SC during the breaks and won individual gift hampers from the club.

After battling it out in the first round, 8 teams managed to reach the quarter finals. The finals were played between Fr. Angel’s Multipurpose High School, Verna and Loyola High School, Margao.

Loyola HS defeated Fr. Agnel MHS by a solitary goal to win the coveted trophy for the first time. Both the teams displayed attacking football and came close to scoring on numerous occasions. However, Loyola HS were able to maintain their lead till the end which saw them lift the glittering trophy.

Master Nafiz Sayyed from Guardian Angel High School, Curchorem was adjudged the player of the tournament while Maldinho Rodrigues (Loyola H.S, Margao), Ryan Pereira (O.L Perpetual HS, Cortalim) and Shane Estibeiro (Fr. Agnel MHS, Verna) won the best Defender, Midfielder and Forward respectively.

Dempo SC Asst. Coach Mauricio Afonso and Dempo veteran Camilo Gonsalves were present during the prize distribution ceremony. Mauricio was elated to see the young talent on display. “I am happy for the boys as they are getting a platform to perform and show their skills in tournaments like these.”

He also expressed his desire for more matches for the juniors. “I believe this exposure is necessary for them (Children), if they play more and more competitive matches then they can develop their strengths and improve upon their mistakes,” signed off the coach.