Sports has always been integral to the Don Bosco Way—an expression of our zest for life. So, when 9 Salesian provinces of Don Bosco came out to play football, there was excitement and joy on the field. Don Bosco Sports from Bangalore Province organised the All India Inter-Province Football Tournament on 28-29 April 2026 at Panampilly Nagar Stadium, Kochi, Kerala, fostering unity, sportsmanship, and youth engagement through football. Nine provinces participated—Shillong, Panjim, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Dimapur, Chennai, Trichy, Delhi, and Bangalore.
In a grand inauguration ceremony, Madam Priyanka G, District Collector of Ernakulam, flagged off the event with an inspiring inaugural address. Distinguished guests included Dr. Jacob-President of the Ernakulam Sports Council; Fr. Patrick Lepcha-Don Bosco Youth Animation: South Asia Delegate; Fr. Josh Kanjooparambil; Fr. Varghese Edathichira; Fr. Gilton Manuel; Fr. Jitto and Fr. John from the Don Bosco Sports.
Exciting and competitive matches among the participating provinces highlighted the football talents of young players while also promoting values of teamwork, discipline, and mutual respect. The Province of Chennai emerged as champions, while the Province of Bangalore secured the first runners-up position, followed by the Province of Shillong.
The presence of the Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) at the closing ceremony added a special touch to the closing ceremony. Mr Karim Benarif, a player of KBFC, presented trophies to the winners while Mr Shushen Vashisth, Chief Operating Officer of KBFC, in his speech, appreciated the initiative and encouraged young athletes to pursue excellence in sports.
The tournament was a grand success, serving as a platform for young footballers to showcase their skills and build camaraderie across provinces. It reaffirmed the commitment of Don Bosco Sports towards youth development through sports and meaningful engagement, spreading the spirit across India.
