Annual Athletic Meet "GO FOR GOLD - 2025"

Annual Athletic Meet "GO FOR GOLD - 2025" at SJEC: A Grand Celebration of Sportsmanship and Excellence

On March 11, 2025, St. Joseph Engineering College, Vamanjoor, Mangaluru, witnessed a spectacular display of athleticism and spirit at the Annual Athletic Meet – GO FOR GOLD - 2025. Organized by the Department of Physical Education in collaboration with the Wellness & Sports Group, the event was graced by Mr. Sonith Mendon, Coach of the Athletic Federation of India, National Level Athlete, and Fitness Consultant, as the Chief Guest. The event was presided over by Rev. Fr. Wilfred Prakash D'Souza, Director of SJEC.

The festivities kicked off with a vibrant March Past, where over 2,700 students participated, proudly wearing their colorful class jerseys. The students marched in unison, led by Mr. Hrishith Shetty (I year MBA – VTU Blue in Cricket), Ms. Jia Menezes (II year CS – VTU Blue in Netball), Ms. Sushritha (III year EC – VTU Blue in Football), and other notable VTU Blue athletes. The Nithyadar High School Permannur band set the tone, adding rhythm and energy to the proceedings.

The Torch Ceremony, an integral part of the event, was led by a group of outstanding student athletes, including Ms. Kushi Salyan (II year ECE – VTU Blue in Athletics & Weightlifting), Mr. Shourya S. Shetty (I year MBA – VTU Blue in Wrestling), and Mr. Daniel Salvadore Concessao (III year CSE – VTU Blue in Skating), among others. The torch was handed over to the Chief Guest, who declared the meet officially open. As a symbol of peace and celebration, the dignitaries released pigeons into the sky, marking the start of the day’s events.

In his address, Mr. Sonith Mendon shared valuable insights on the importance of athletics, stressing the significance of competing with respect, learning from failure, and executing strategies for success. His motivating words encouraged students to "run faster, jump higher," and to carry the spirit of athletics in their hearts.

The oath ceremony was carried out by Mr. Shrajan P. Amin (III year CSBS – VTU Blue in Cricket), who swore to uphold the values of sportsmanship and fair play on behalf of all the participants. The Chief Guest was presented with a memento in recognition of his presence and support, and international-level athlete Daniel Salvadore Concessao was felicitated for his exceptional contributions to sports.

The inaugural program was skillfully compered by Ms. Rachana Crasta (Department of Mathematics) and Mr. Joel D'Mello (Department of Mechanical Engineering). The ceremony saw the presence of many distinguished guests, including Rev. Fr. Kenneth Rayner Crasta, Assistant Director, Dr. Rio D'Souza, Principal, Vice Principal Dr. Purushottama Chippar, and Dr. Ramananda H.S., Dean of Student Welfare, among others.

The closing ceremony of the meet was equally vibrant, with Vice Principal Dr. Purushottama Chippar as the Chief Guest. In his address, Dr. Chippar emphasized that sports, much like life, are a continuous journey of self-improvement. He encouraged students to embrace challenges with a positive mindset and always strive for greatness.

Rev. Fr. Wilfred Prakash D'Souza, the President of the closing ceremony, congratulated all the winners, reminding everyone that every participant is a winner for their dedication and spirit of fair play. He highlighted that hard work and perseverance had paid off for the winners, but every participant's contribution was equally valuable.

The prize distribution ceremony, led by Ms. Himani Kishan Raj, Sports Advisor, was a moment of pride for all the athletes. The event concluded with the lowering of the college flag and the National Anthem, marking the end of a successful and memorable GO FOR GOLD - 2025 Athletic Meet.

With its overwhelming participation and enthusiastic spectators, the event truly captured the essence of sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication. SJEC continues to stand as a beacon of excellence in both academics and sports, fostering a holistic development environment for all its students.