DURGESH PARMAR
In the heart of Panjim, nestled within the campus of the Don Bosco High School, and surrounded by the bustle of city life, lies a patch of green that’s doing far more than hosting football matches.
Since its inauguration in 2023, Don Bosco Oratory's football turf and two futsal pitches have evolved into a buzzing hub of energy, attracting between 100 and 150 sports aficionados daily, from 3 pm to 10 pm.
The futsal craze is helping the institution generate a revenue of around Rs 3 to Rs 3.5 lakh a month. It has now become not just a place to play, but also a place to belong.
What truly sets this turf apart isn't just its location, but also the quality and facilities provided. The turf features A-grade FIFA-approved synthetic turf imported from the US, cooperative staff, well-maintained playing conditions and an organised slot booking system.
It's become a place where people of all age groups unite to enjoy each other's company. Built with a vision to empower local youth and promote accessible sports, the facility has now become a nurturing ground for raw and emerging talent.
In the most recent edition, Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, won the Campeones De Futsal title after a hard-fought final. More than the winner's trophy, it was the display of sportsmanship and unity that defined the tournament's success.
"We are now in touch with our sports and cultural club to organise an annual tournament, a championship for their community to discover new talent," informed the director of Don Bosco Oratory, Br James Marcus.
The facilities are backed by professional coaches and staff, who run structured training programmes to shape next-generation athletes. The oratory spends Rs 8 to Rs 10 lakh per year to maintain what they have set up.
It has also started an initiative to encourage sports among veterans by allowing them to use the turf, free of cost.
The turf has played host to high-octane tournaments like the Don Bosco Futsal League, the All-India Inter YMCA Futsal Championship, the Jubilee Cup and the Campeones De Futsal, where young teams from every corner of the State competed.
During school hours, the turf becomes an extended classroom, where students from the Don Bosco school and college harness their sports skills.
During school hours, the turf transforms into an extended classroom, allowing students from Don Bosco school and college to use the space to harness their sports skills.
The sports head of Don Bosco school, Luis Fernandes, along with the assistant physical education teachers, is constantly working on offering a mix of indoor and outdoor sports activities to the students.
The institution, already noted for its holistic approach to education, now offers its students an even stronger foundation in sports and teamwork.
We prioritise physical education as much as we prioritise book learning. We don't want our students to excel only in education, but also want them to do well in physical activities and sports.
Fr Avin Carvalho, Principal, Don Bosco High School, Panjim
"We prioritise physical education as much as we prioritise book learning. We don't want our students to excel only in education, but also want them to do good in physical activities and sports. Sports helps them learn much more than what they learn from books," said Father Avin Carvalho, Principal of Don Bosco High School, Panjim.
"The sports teachers work with the students, on and off the field, helping them develop skills like teamwork, communication, critical thinking, decision making and time management," he shared.
"We use the facilities on our campus to train our sports teams for inter-school competitions. Our school is among the top schools in Goa when it comes to sports. We take pride in our students who have represented our school at various tournaments."
In the evenings, the turf becomes a rare urban space where barriers break down, football becomes a common language, and screen time turns into playtime. The turf reminds us of the timeless value of sport.
“Visit Don Bosco turf, it's an experience worth trying," urged Br James. “It’s more than just a place to play. It's an experience built on joy, purpose, and community,” he summed up.