Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim organised the All - Goa Father Furtado Basketball tournament for Under- 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17. This was the first time ever that 5 aside Basketball tournament league matches were organised in Goa, for the under 10 and 12 categories from, June 21 and June 22, 2025. The under 14, 16 and 17 categories were held on June 27, 28 and 29 June, 2025. The under 14 and 16 category was 3x3 players team and under 17 was 5 a side team. The aim of this tournament was to give children a taste of Basketball and get coached to become skilled players later. In all categories together there were almost 90 teams from all over Goa that participated in these tournaments
The Tournament was named, Father Benedict Furtado Basketball Tournament, because Father Furtado was a Salesian Priest of Don Bosco, who introduced Basketball in Goa. He built the first basketball court at Panjim on the Don Bosco school ground, and was the first President of GBA (Goa Basketball Association). He was responsible in starting Basketball in Goa. The sport owes where it is today to Father Benedict Furtado.
Chief Guest, Provincial, Salesian Province of Panjim-Konkan, Father Clive Telles said, Father Benedict Furtado, was the friend of youngsters, many of whom ultimately attracted to his enthusiasm and devout lifestyle joined the Salesians of Don Bosco and later became priests.
Director, Don Bosco Oratory Panjim, Brother James Marcus, felicitated and thanked two special veterans, Referee In Charge, GBA, Olencio Dias, who is still passionately active training basketball players and Luis Fernandes, who was trained by Father Benedict Furtado, is a close collaborator with Don Bosco Oratory and continues with persistent zeal in coaching children to become skilled basketball players.
Addressing the gathering, Brother Marcus, urged the parents to build interest and nurture in their children the love for sports. It was a great sight to see so many parents who had encouraged their children to come and play, and cheering for the teams throughout the whole game. He assured that Don Bosco Oratory will hold such tournaments annually henceforth, so that the youngsters will start learning and perfecting the game of basketball.
Brother Marcus thanked the referees for a fantastic job throughout the entire tournament and the many clubs that came forward to assist like the YMCA. He also thanked the oratory staff, the coaches and volunteers for their untiring efforts making the Father Benedict Furtado Basketball tournament a big success.
As the tournament progressed there were many special guests who were present, Rector, Don Bosco, Panjim, Father Tamatur Cardozo, Principal, Don Bosco School, Panjim, Father Avin Carvalho, Assistant Director, Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim Father Jason Coelho, Economer, Salesian Province of Panjim, Father Francis Silveira, Director, Don Bosco Colloge, Panjim, Father Kinley D’cuz, Father Tony Alamo, Ex-GBA Secretary and Member GBA Pan India, Father Ralin D’Souza, President, GBA, Shane Dias, Secretary, GBA, Parind Nochinolkar, Ex- officio member, GBA, Maria Helen, Ex officio member & Referee, Flobert Monteiro.
Highlights of the tournament
In the Under 10 category (Mixed Boys & Girls teams) - The winning team was Loyola (A), Margao and the Runners – up, Loyola (B), Margao. The highest scorer and best player was Varian Caeiro from Loyola (A); and the most disciplined player was Ishanvi Chintis from Don Bosco, Panjim
In the Under 12 Girls category - The winning team was Don Bosco, Fatorda and the Runners – up, Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim. The highest scorer & best player was Eva Mascarenhas from DB Fatorda; and the most disciplined player was Elaine Do Rosario from Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim
In the Under 12 Boys category - the winning team was Loyola, Margao and the runners – up, Don Bosco, Fatorda. The highest scorer & best player was Adriel Rosario from Loyola; and the most disciplined player was Tanay Rane
In the Under 14 Girls category - The winning team was Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) Fatorda, and the Runners – up, Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim. The best player was Natalie Fernandes from DBO Fatorda
In the Under 14 Boys category - the winning team was Don Bosco High School, Panjim, and the runners – up, Loyola Ignitus, Margao. The best player was Fahim Shaikh from DBHS, Panjim.
In the Under 16 Girls category - The winning team was Sonics A, and the Runners – up, Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) Fatorda A. The best player was Kim D’Souza from Sonics A.
In the Under 16 Boys category - the winning team was Don Bosco Oratory, Panjim, and the runners – up, Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) Fatorda. The best player was Avner Mendonca from DBO, Panjim.
In the Under 17 Girls category - The winning team was Sonics A, and the Runners – up, Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) Panjim. The best player was Enira Fernandes from Sonics A.
In the Under 17 Boys category - the winning team was Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, and the runners – up, Don Bosco Oratory (DBO) Panjim. The best player was Aaron Ponraj from DB0, Fatorda.
