Forming Sportive Salesians at Don Bosco, Gunadala

Forming Sportive Salesians at Don Bosco, Gunadala

Fr Chinnabathuni Louis, the Rector, coaching the Pre-novices in Basketball. View actual size Though, the coaching for the volleyball began a few days earlier, the entire `package` began on 24th of June. The first and second year students are trained in the skills of playing volleyball which is the common game even in the rural settings of Andhra Pradesh. This is intended for the students of intermediate right now before they get into serious study and assimilation as to prepare themselves for the board examinations. 29 in number, the coaching is given under the able guidance of Mr Dominic Kumar from the Assumption Parish, Pezzonipet and Cl. Lakkisetti Praveen. The day begins early at 05:30 with the exercises that would further the process upto 07:30 am with the training in the various skills in playing volleyball. In order the foster a better process in learning a skillful game and to provide ample atmosphere and setting, the community has even adjusted its timetable. While a few students come with experience in sports and games, for most of them, the coaching given here is the first hand experience of the Salesian sportive spirit. Of course, being boys, they pick up the skills quickly and shape themselves to be sportive and energetic. The coaching offered right at the beginning of the year has resulted positively to a great extent as we had the credit of even defeating the Jesuit Scholastics and Capuchian aspirants. On the other hand, the Rector, Fr Chinnabathuni Louis, being a lover of sports, spares no effort to train the aspirants and the pre-novices in various sports and games. This is manifested as he himself trains the pre-novices in learning the skills and tactics of being a good basketball player. Of course, the presence of Fr James Kudiyirippil, our administrator, who is a veteran sports star, adds depth to the entire coaching process. The pre-novices are followed up personally by the staff in all the areas of formation as to equip them with solid stuff before they enter the Novitiate at Manoharabad fully energized and enthused. Personal interest is taken to help the young aspirants and pre-novices become confident and sportive. This would be a sort of preparation for them to know the games and to teach the young to be sportive in turn. No doubt, that it would serve as a catalyst to love and to familiarize themselves with the world of youth who are mad after sports and games. The coaching is likely to go on for about three weeks. We are sure that all the skills and knacks of the aspirants and pre-novices would be visible once the Marian month and the traditional battle at the courts commence. On the other hand, this training period would prepare them mentally and physically to bag all the prizes and trophies for the matches scheduled during the year. To this end, the staff is making its contribution by training the young in the best way possible. We wish the aspirants and the pre-novices all the very best as they begin to learn and live the Salesian sportive life.