YMCA Madras will clash with YMCA Aizawl in the final of 1stAll-India Inter-YMCA Futsal Tournament 2023 at Don Bosco HS Artificial turf in Panaji on Tuesday evening in a celebration of National Sports Day.
The three-day tournament has been jointly-organised by YMCA Panjim and YMCA Bombay.
In the semi-finals played on the second day of the tournament today, YMCA Madras got the better of YMCA College of Physical Education, Chennai, 6-3. In the other semis, YMCA Aizawl overcame the challenge from YMCA Panjim B 5-3.
Some amazing energy and fast-paced action, marked the proceedings on the day as the field narrowed down to just two, who would be battling it out for national supremacy.
The semi-final between YMCA Aizawl and YMCA Panjim B, was dominated by the Mizoram-based side. The other semi-final between YMCA Madras and YMCA College of Physical Education, Chennai, saw a very high-voltage drama.
While in the first half, the teams were equally poised; the second half was dramatic as an unfortunate error on the part of the Chennai goalkeeper when stopping a goal-scoring opportunity outside the D Area, saw an automatic red card for the keeper. The Chennai side was thus reduced to 4 men, who fought valiaintly but could not stand up to Madras’ challenge with their depleted strength.
The inaugural All-India inter-YMCA Futsal tournament began at Don Bosco High School grounds in Panaji on Sunday.
The tournament was declared open by Fr Avin, Rector of Don Bosco High School-Panaji. He urged all to have a good tournament to forge bonds between the various chapters of the YMCA.
Board of Directors of YMCA Panaji, namely President Clyde Lobo, Adv Joseph Vaz Lourenco Rodrigues, Roy Gaspar, Sanil Costa Frias, Adv Melwin Viegas, Jefferin John, were present.
Adv Joseph Vaz addressed the gathering and stressed on the theme of Freedom with Responsibility, focusing on climate change and urged the teams to maintain a garbage-free environment.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Koshy Alexander Vaidyan, YMCA Secretary of Youth Empowerment, Gender, Sports/Physical Recreations, Media and Communication, who reiterated the theme of Freedom with Responsibility and focus on preserving the environment and asked the teams to play in good fellowship of the YMCA. He has also thanked YMCA Panaji for doing a stellar job in organising the said tournament, though doing so for the first time.
YMCA Panaji shall be releasing a souvenir to commemorate the occasion at the time of the finals on 29th August.
