-Master Kris Benson -Std IX
(This article was published in Times NIE, 26th March 2018)
As a football and hockey player, I had the distinction to represent the school at the MSSA and DSO organized tournaments. The MSSA and DSO tournaments are special to young sportsmen because they provide opportunities to school sports persons to showcase their athletic prowess on the field, besides getting a coverage from the media. If fortunate, the players get an opportunity to play their matches on the best grounds in Mumbai. Selections to the U/14 and U/16 team to represent Maharashtra and Mumbai takes place in these tournaments. These selections are based on individual performance in the tournament.
Every certificate earned in this tournament is recognized and valued when it comes to grace marks at the SSC examination and while seeking admission in colleges. The DSO tournament is a government recognized tournament. The benefits from these tournaments helps one get job opportunities, gives appreciation and honour in return. It helps one build a good rapport with players of the best teams in the tournament.
Each sportsman enjoys a lot of publicity and relishes the privilege to raise the standard of their school and their individual track record in sports. What’s acquired at the sporting field is brought back into the classroom. The players build up good stamina and concentration in class which in turn helps them to balance sports with studies.
There are certain changes that sportsmen would prefer to see in this tournament that will make this tournament more significant and prestigious in the years to come such as-every match should have a special award for the man of the match which will motivate and build up confidence in sportsmen; better ground facilities which will help the players to experiment qualitative game strategies; good referees and umpires with expertise will ensure fair results; good playground medical facilities will help to take care of players in times of need. Last but not the least; good sponsors will help to add standard and quality to the tournament.