Dimapur, October 13: St. Joseph University, Nagaland organized its first ever inter-college/university annual sports event, i.e., St Joseph Trophy, which began today at the University campus. The event was organised to foster a feeling of unity and sportsmanship among the student community. It aimed to create a healthy spirit of competition among higher educational institutions within Nagaland.
The sporting event has been planned for three days where sports such as football, basketball and volleyball will be played among the 16 colleges and universities that had registered for the competition.
On day one, the inaugural ceremony was held where Abu Metha, Associate Vice President of Athletics Federation of India, Secretary General of Nagaland Olympic Association and the Advisor to Chief Minister graced as Special Guest, and the Special Invitee was John Murry, retired Medical Officer and a well-wisher of SJU.
The Masters of Ceremonies for the three-day event were Betina, Atoholi and Pelesinuo, Asisstant Professors in the Department of English, Management and Zoology respectively.
The inaugural ceremony began with the SJU choir singing the National Anthem which was followed by a prayer said by Fr. Sezhiyan, MMI Campus Manager.
Betina Vashi Assistant Professor, Department of English gave the formal introduction about the St Joseph University Trophy. Dr. K Sethupathy, Registrar SJU gave the welcome address and the keynote address was delivered by Dr.Gnanadurai, Vice Chancellor SJU.
Special Guest, Abu Metha in his address extended greetings from the office of the Chief Minister and also expressed his gratitude to the Catholic community for their innumerable service in all spheres of life.
He emphasized how sports and games have changed in the present times and how sports now require professionalism and can be pursued as a vocation. According to him, sports has a unifying power and bring people together: sports has no barriers and knows no differentiation.
He exhorted the students to aspire and to work hard towards their goals. He also offered a suggestion to the Management to look into the probability of opening an official Department of Sports Science which would be a first in the state.
In this regard, he assured that there would be support from the Government of Nagaland and Nagaland Olympics Association to make the University a centre of sports in the state.
He concluded his message by encouraging all the participants to play in the spirit of sportsmanship.
The programme also witnessed cultural events such as Cultural Fusion (folk dance), a folksong promoting women empowerment and a mime by MMI brothers about never giving up in life. It was followed by the vote of thanks delivered by Charles Mhonthung Ezung, Dean of Students Affairs SJU. The anthem of St Joseph University was sung by the SJU Choir which was followed by the oath taking ceremony and was presided over by the Special Guest.
(Page News Service)
