The two-day sports tournament hosted at St Philomena sports ground reached its grand finale on 1 November 2023. The event saw an esteemed guest, MLA of Puttur Shri Ashok Kumar Rai, whose presence electrified the audience. He shared his insights on the profound impact of sports in shaping well-rounded individuals and expressed immense pride in the local athletes who were making Puttur shine at state and national levels.  Mr Rai took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminiscing about his student days spent playing cricket on the St Philomena College sports ground. Furthermore, he lauded the Catholic Educational Institutions for their exceptional service in advancing the betterment of society. Very Rev. Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas, the Correspondent of Mai De Deus Institutions, extended a warm welcome to the MLA with a bouquet of flowers.

The closing ceremony had the honour of hosting Asst Commissioner of Puttur, Mr Girish Nandan, as the chief guest. Mr Girish Nandan underscored the importance of sports in a student’s life, emphasizing how it equips individuals to navigate the ups and downs in life with equal resilience. He congratulated the medal winners and stressed the transformative power of these games in helping each participant realize each one’s full potential.

Rev Vijay Harvin, a State Award Winner and the Correspondent of Sudana Educational Institutions, graced the occasion as the guest of honour. He accentuated the significance of mental health in addition to physical well-being. Acknowledging the medal-winning athletes, he encouraged non-medalists to embark on their journeys towards excellence and urged the medalists to intensify their training for higher-level competitions.  Rev.Harvin acknowledged that the success of these Games was a testament to the combined efforts of the staff and students of Mai De Deus Educational Institutions.

Very Rev Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas, the President of the closing ceremony, reflected on the successful organization of the sports meet held in memory of Msgr Antony Pataro. He rejoiced in the two days filled with joy and celebration on the campus. Rev.  Lawrence Mascarenhas congratulated all the athletes for their spirited participation, and he commended the organizers for their unwavering dedication in making the two-day event a resounding success. He expressed delight in witnessing the deep sense of ownership displayed by every participant, both athletes and the supportive students, contributing to the overall vibrant spirit of the event.

The ceremony was graced by the Vice President of the Church Committee, Mr Gerald D’Costa, as well as distinguished Heads of the various institutions under Maide deus Institutions. Nearly 6,000 students, along with faculty and staff members from schools and colleges under Maide Deus educational Institutions, actively participated in the sports meet. The event even featured special sports activities for the staff members. Physical Education Directors’ of the Maide Deus Educational Institutions were highly appreciated for their strenuous efforts behind the success story of the two -day Sports show.

Mrs Sumana, lecturer from the Department of Kannada, St Philomena PU College, warmly welcomed the gathering, and the Campus Director of St Philomena College, Rev. Fr Stany Pinto, extended Vote of Thanks. Mrs Rashmi from the Department of Physics St Philomena PU College compered the program.