To provide a platform for students to showcase their swimming talents and connect with fellow budding swimmers, ‘Dashing Dolphins-2023’ the AICS Inter-School Swimming Competition (Association of ICSE and CBSE schools of D.K and Udupi Districts) was hosted by St Aloysius Gonzaga School on 22 September at St Aloysius College Swimming Pool.
For the first time in the history of AICS, a Swimming event was included in the competition and St Aloysius Gonzaga School was privileged to conduct this event where swimmers from 34 schools with 331 students, affiliated with the association of ICSE & CBSE from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts gathered at the pool with great enthusiasm and a true sportsman spirit. The opening ceremony of the competition commenced with a euphonious prayer song by the school choir. Principal Fr Melwyn Anil Lobo SJ extended a genial welcome to all attendees including Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto SJ Rector, St Aloysius Institution, Mangaluru, President of the function and introduced the esteemed Chief Guest Mr Partha Varanashi and appreciated the embodiment of sportsmanship.
Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto SJ President, our esteemed Chief Guest Mr. Partha Varanashi Director of Vswim Academy, Team Coach India 2019 FINA World Swimming Championship, the Principal Fr Melwyn Anil Lobo SJ unveiled the championship trophy and thereafter released the balloons and officially declared the ‘Dashing Dophins’ swimming meet open.
The Chief Guest, Mr Partha Varanashi, inspired the participants with his motivating message. Addressing the students, he emphasized that water is the source of life and encouraged them to enhance their neuroplasticity through swimming. He also asked the participants not to get blocked with various worries but instead to be calm, focused and enjoy the event.
Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto, in his presidential speech, emphasized the affinity of water and said that swimming is in our blood as we are blessed with a sea coast, hence asking the students to make the best of the opportunities presented to them.
The commencement of the swimming competition was marked by symbolic dives into the pool by Sathwik Nayak Sujir, lead swimmer along with his team Diya Nayak, Sudipthi Sunil, Nandan Karkera, and Avaneesh Nayak Sujir of the host school, with the school flag and School Championship Trophy.
Ms Laurel D’souza proposed the vote of thanks and Fr Melwin Joseph Pinto felicitated the Chief Guest.
Fr Melwyn D Cunha SJ, Director- Research Coordinator, St Aloysius College was the Chief Guest of the Valedictory function. In his address, he asked students to express their talents through participation and continue to work with perseverance till they emerge as a winner. Fr Melwyn Anil Lobo SJ proposed the vote of thanks. PE Teacher Ms Agnes Saldanha coordinated the event along with PE teachers Mr Vinod M.P, Mr Aditya Shetty and Ms Asha.
St Aloysius Gonzaga School emerged as the overall School champion, followed by The Yenepoya School as First runner-up and Sharada Vidyalaya as Second runner-up. ‘Dashing Dolphins-2023’ was a great platform for the swimmers to showcase their swimming talents.
