St Andrews lift Jay Rao trophy

St Andrew’s, Bowenpally, defeated St Michael’s ‘A’ 5-3 via penalty shoot-out to emerge as champions of the eighth Jay Rao Memorial Inter-School football tournament, conducted by former students of Valerian Grammar School, at Bolarum Grounds. The match was deadlocked at 1-all on the conclusion of regulation time.

In the third place play-off, St Patrick’s School, Secunderabad whipped OAK Valley, Daimugudda 3-0.

An interesting innovation was in the conduct of a first-of-its-kind all girls exhibition match as a means to spread awareness about the FIFA under-17 World Cup that six Indian cities are hoisting next month. The girls, displaying rare enthusiasm, drew applause from the large crowd that gathered for the finale. For the records, Sports School Hakimpet defeated Zilla Parishad High School Dhulapally 5-0, which indicated the calibre of the former, where they get trained under qualified coaches.

Meanwhile, individual awards were instituted and given away in the memory of stalwarts who belonged to Bolarum and hit big-time with their exploits-Late Pentaiah Best goal-keeper: Kausthab (St Andrews); Late Amar Chand ‘Best defender’: Aman Dung Dung (St Andrews); Late Narsing Rao ‘Best mid-fielder’: Joshua (St Michaels); Late Bhaskar ‘Best striker’: Dibayank (St Michaels); Late George ‘Best all-rounder’: Vincent (St Patrick’s).

Later, Member of Parliament, Malla Reddy, MLC M Hanumanth Rao, Cantonment Board member, Loknathan, Jay Rao, Serleen, Sigmani and Gopal gave away prizes to various winners and awardees.

Results: Finals: St Andrews Bowenpally bt St Michaels 5-3 (via shoot-out)-1-1 regulation time; Third place play-of: St Patrick’s School, Secunderabad 3 (Vincent, Lawrence, Bharath) bt OAK Valley, Daimugudda 0;Semifinals: St Michael’s ‘A’ 5 (Dibyanank, Rihan, Joshua, Aryan, Nagesh) bt Oak Valley 0; St Andrew’s 3 (Prabhat 2, Nipin) bt St Patrick’s School 1 (Sunil).