Kera/Udupi: In an overall performance, ICYM Thottam was declared the champs of Yuva Mell Gadya Khell (A day in the paddy field) organized by ICYM Kera (St. Teresa Parish) on October 23, 2016 whereas ICYM Pamboor and ICYM Kolalgiri walked away with the runners trophies.
The unique festival of folk games was organized by ICYM Unit Kera in association with the Udupi Diocese and Deanery Youth Commission. The games in the paddy field began with a procession at 9:30am from Achutta Shetty’s house wherein all the dignitaries of the day were welcomed by flowers girls and to the drums of Nasik Band to the specially built stage for the occasion. The dignitaries present for the inaugural function were Chief Guest of the day Most Rev. Fr. Baptist Menezes (Vicar General – Udupi Diocese), Rev. Fr. Joswi Fernandes (Vicar Var– Karkal Deanery), Siju Ambat (National ICYM President), Fr. Sunil D’Silva (ICYM Director Karkal Deanery), Acchanna Shetty (Jogibettu – donor paddy fields), Ivan Christine D’Souza (Main Sponsor), Shaila Menezes (Animator, ICYM Kera ) Ajit Hegde (President Malla Gram Panchayat), Soubhagya Madiwala (Member Karkala Gram Panchayat), Elsi D’Souza (Animator ICYM Karkal Deanery), Valida Mendonsa (ICYM Karnataka), Loyal D’Souza (President, ICYM Udupi Diocese), Frankline D’Silva (President ICYM Karkala Deanery), Rohit D’Mello (President, ICYM Kera unit), Denzil Mascharenhas(Secretary – ICYM Kera) and Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes (Parish Priest, St. Teresa Church Kera).
The inaugural function began with a prayer song by members of ICYM Kera unit by Reena Mascarenhas, Roshni and Ashika D’Silva followed by warm welcome by Loyal D’Souza (President, ICYM Udupi Diocese). All the dignitaries on the dais were felicitated with flowers. Fr. Joswi Fernandes flagged off the games.
On the occasion Achanna Shetty (Land owner) was felicitated by Most. Rev. Fr. Baptist Menezes and other dignitaries on the dais with traditional shawl, flowers, fruit basket and a citation for donating his land for the paddy field sports.
Msgr. Baptist Menezes in his presidential address said that we are all Indians and lets us unite and play the games in sportsman spirit. He thanked Achuta Anna and his family for donating the fields for the youth to hold these great traditional folk games.
ICYM member Ashika D’Silva, delivered the vote of thanks. Siju Ambat officially declared the games open by tossing the volley ball to the players on the field.
It was a fun filled day as participants as well supporters enjoyed unique paddy fields such as Poilvi race, 5-leg race, Dum Laga Ke Race followed by Pyramid, Volley ball, Throw-ball and the most exiting were the tug-of-war between different ward parishioners. In the team games like Volley ball, ICYM Pernal were the winners in the final and ICYM Thottam were the runners up. In the Throwball competition, ICYM Kolalgiri was the Winner and ICYM Kemmannu, the Runners up. Thottam, Pamboor and Kalattur bagged the first, second and third places respectively in Pyramid while Kolalgiri and Pamboor came first and second respectively in Tug-of-war.
Rev. Fr. Jerome Monteiro (Parish Priest – Miyar) presided over the valedictory function and concluding ceremony. ICYM President Rohit welcomed the gathering.Fr. Jerome in his concluding note congratulated, thanked and praised all youth for organizing and participating in the nature loving games.
On the occasion all the Animators, Coordinators, sponsors, referees were honoured with a memento for their selfless service. Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes speaking on the occasion said initially he didn’t want to organize this mammoth GadyaKhell in his small parish with a small unit of ICYM members. “However, ICYM members wanted to organize and they promised that they would do it successfully. At the moment, I’m very proud of them as they proved by organizing these games successfully and wonderfully,” he said. He applauded them for their wonderful work and invited all of them to the dais in recognition for a group photo. He also congratulated all the teams and participants and organizers for coming from far and enjoying the Ek Dis Gadyant Khellyam.
Denzil Mascarenhas (Secretary) ICYM Kera proposed the vote of thanks. Siju Ambat read out the names of the winners of various games held throughout the day. Derrick Mascarenhas, President ICYM Udupi Diocese compered the concluding ceremony. The final moment arrived when the champions of the champions were declared. Loyal D’Souza announced the final winners. ICYM Thottam emerged the overall champions scoring 23 points whereas ICYM Pamboor and ICYM Kolalgiri units were tied at 18 points each and hence it was decided to give both teams runners up trophies. The organizers organised a lot to give the runners trophy which was ready. ICYM Kolalgiri bagged the chance to take the trophy and ICYM Pamboor will be given another trophy shortly, the organizers promised.
All the winners of different categories were honoured with mementos by Fr. Jerome Monteiro.
In the valedictory function Sudhakar Shetty (Member Taluk Panchayat Karkala), Celestine Menezes (Member Mala Panchayat), Frj. Edwin D’Souza (Director ICYM Udupi Diocese), Siju Ambat (National ICYM President), Fr. Sunil D’Silva (ICYM Director Karkal Deanery), Shaila Menezes (Animator, ICYM Kera ), Elsi D’Souza (Animator ICYM Karkal Deanery), Valida Mendonsa (ICYM Karnataka), Loyal D’Souza (President, ICYM Udupi Diocese), Frankline D’Silva (President ICYM Karkala Deanery), Rohit D’Mello (President, ICYM Kera unit), Denzil Mascarenhas (Secretary – ICYM Kera) and Rev. Fr. Pascal Menezes (Parish Priest, St. Teresa Church Kera) were present.
The entire GadyaKhell was wonderfully and successfully organized by ICYM Unit (Kera St. Teresa Parish). The event was compered by Derrick Mascarenhas (Former ICYM President Udupi Diocese), Crystal Mascarenhas (ICYM Kera), Komal D’Souza (ICYM Kera) and Jestan Fernandes (ICYM Kera).
The fun-filled Gadya Khell (A day in the paddy Field) ended with distribution of Champions’ trophies to the winners by Fr. Jersome Monteiro and concluded at around 6pm.
