FLASH NEWS:
NEWS
Dimapur, July 3:
DBSA Charts Roadmap for Youth Sports
News reported by: Fr. Balasingam INM
Province Sports Coordinators of the All-India Don Bosco Sports Academy (DBSA) convened at the Don Bosco Institute for Development and Leadership (DBIDL), Dimapur, on July 3 to formulate strategies for strengthening sports as a pathway to youth wellness, character formation, and professional careers across India.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Keyi Putlang, Secretary of the Dimapur District Football Association (DDFA) and member of the Nagaland Football Association Media and District Affairs Committee, highlighted the remarkable growth of football in Nagaland. He noted that what was once pursued as a hobby has now become a viable career option, with several private football academies established across the state and more than 20 clubs participating in the league last year.
However, Putlang also highlighted persistent challenges facing sports development, including inadequate infrastructure, limited funding, and operational constraints. He observed that many promising athletes discontinue their sporting careers due to a lack of facilities and financial support.
Fr Patrick Lepcha, Delegate of Don Bosco Youth Animation South Asia (DBYA-SA), reaffirmed that the DBSA initiative is centred on providing the best opportunities for young people. Reflecting on the teachings of Pope Leo XIV, an amateur tennis player, he described sport as "a school of fraternity, peace and faith" and emphasised that while stadiums inspire excellence, they should never replace deeper human and spiritual values. Echoing the Pope's vision, he said sport is an invitation to experience "life in abundance."
Fr Josh Kanjooparambil, Director of DBSA and Province Sports Coordinator of Bangalore, presented a report on the All-India Don Bosco Inter-Province Football Championship held at Don Bosco Vaduthala, Kochi, on April 28–29, 2026. He also introduced the statutes of the newly constituted national body, Don Bosco Sports India, outlining its vision to promote sports not merely as recreation but as a means of professional development and holistic formation.
Fr Kanjooparambil said the organisation aims to maximise existing infrastructure, establish centres of excellence in every Salesian province, inspire local communities, and create a broader social impact through sport.
Representatives from the Salesian provinces of Kolkata, Dimapur, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Panjim, Shillong, and Trichy presented reports on sports initiatives, achievements, and challenges in their respective regions, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of Salesian sports ministry in India.
The meeting concluded on a spirited note with a friendly basketball match between the Don Bosco Sports Academy Dimapur players and the South Asia Province Sports Coordinators. The academy team emerged victorious, bringing the day's deliberations to a fitting close with a celebration of sportsmanship and teamwork.
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Publisher: Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Year of publication: 2026
Available from: 4 March 2026
Pages: 928 pp., Paperback
