In the bustling heart of Mumbai, nestled in Matunga, Don Bosco School has become synonymous with football dominance on the inter-school sports scene. For two decades, Don Bosco, Matunga, has established itself as a bastion of sporting excellence, particularly in the realm of football. The school’s under-16 Division I football team has repeatedly emerged triumphant in the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) boys U-16 Division I titles throughout the years, clinching titles in 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004. This unparalleled success not only highlights their dominance but sets a daunting standard for other schools to aspire to.
The vast trophy cabinet of Don Bosco speaks volumes of their unyielding dominance and soon, they could very well add another title when they meet Bombay Scottish (Mahim) in the highly anticipated final match. Their consistency in performance, however, was interrupted in 2016 and 2009 when they finished as runners-up. The team’s potential to add more titles was thwarted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, as the tournament had to be canceled in 2020 and 2021.
Leading the squad this year is Yohaan D’Souza, taking over the captain’s mantle from Yohaan Panjuani, who led the team to victory in both 2023 and 2022. The trend of effective leadership is a testament to the school’s depth of talent and strategic grooming. Matches like their recent semi-final victory over arch-rivals St Stanislaus (Bandra) underscore their resilience and competitive spirit.
Orchestrating this symphony of success from the sidelines is none other than Leslie Machado, affectionately known as Sir Leslie. The 69-year-old coach has been at the helm for the past 35 years, overseeing the evolution of the school’s football program from its nascence to its current state of renown. “One of the main reasons for us doing well is the foundation we have laid over the years. Our supremacy is a collective effort—players, coaches, and support staff. The players train religiously even on their holidays, and we nurture these kids right from the under-8 level. Now, other schools have also started to work early on the kids like us,” Machado shared.
The journey is not always smooth, with athletic adversities presenting inevitable challenges. Machado believes that his players’ indomitable spirit makes the difference. “These boys are fighters; they never give up. With the influx of academies in schools, even other teams are becoming stronger. Despite that, we are able to do well. I believe for a team to perform well, we need to have not just one or two-star performers, but all 16 players should be good,” he remarked.
Savio D’Souza, who has been the school’s sports teacher for 27 years, attributes the team’s consistent triumphs to a combination of commitment, talent, and a cohesive team ethos. “Our domination in inter-school football over the years is a testament to dedication, talent, and a strong team ethos. The impressive and consistent success can be attributed to a combination of excellent coaching, a disciplined training regime, and a culture that values teamwork and perseverance. Sir Leslie is known for his dedication to the school football team across more than three decades. His commitment extends beyond coaching; often spending extra hours mentoring players individually and encouraging them to excel both on and off the field,” Savio elaborated.
Former principal and rector Fr Crispino D’Souza, who now resides in Pune since May 2023, laid a historic foundation for this sporting excellence.
. “During the early 1990s when Fr Adolph Furtado returned from the USA, he started the sports division [A division]. It had 50-60 boys in a class, who were a part of various sporting disciplines. The sports boys had to pay a monthly fee, and in return got the best coaching. The school invested in the right coaches and trainers, and sports took off. A timetable was drawn and it had a huge impact, making them the No. 1 school in the city. This was followed from Class II till Class X. Fr Adolph’s successors Fr Edward D’Souza, Fr Bosco D’Mello, Fr Bernard Fernandes, and I built on that,” Fr Crispino reminisced.
The school’s impressive legacy is further bolstered by its distinguished alumni, which includes renowned India cricketers Farokh Engineer, Ravi Shastri, Jatin Paranjape, and Shreyas Iyer. Adding to this glittering lineage is MM Somaya, a member of India’s 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal-winning hockey team and former Chief Operating Officer of the Bosco Sports Academy. Somaya attributes Don Bosco’s success to a structured approach in talent identification, coaching, and providing exposure across multiple sports.
Former India cricketer Jatin Paranjape, an alum of Don Bosco, highlighted the balanced focus on both sports and academics, stressing the importance of infrastructure and support in nurturing talent. “Don Bosco, Matunga, is a school that places a lot of emphasis on sports in addition to education. The fantastic sports infrastructure was the biggest lever for me. I started playing hockey but was quickly inducted into the cricket team. The most important learning for me was that I could do both, sports and studies, with the right time management. That my two boys study here is a source of great joy for me,” Paranjape shared.
The current players too, brim with enthusiasm and admiration for their coach. Skipper Yohaan D’Souza expressed his appreciation, saying, “The support we get from our coaches, especially Leslie sir is just amazing. Leslie sir may be 69, but his fitness motivates us. He does all the drills with the same intensity as us.”
Echoing this sentiment, top performer Adair D’Souza credited their coach’s dedication and the culture of discipline ingrained from a young age. “It is the love for the sport along with the discipline and passion that has been invested in each child from a very young age that has played a huge role in the team’s success. Our coach Leslie sir has shaped all of us and led us to do well in football. His contribution to our growth, both on and off the field, has been immense,” Adair concluded.
With a legacy firmly rooted in dedication, team spirit, and comprehensive coaching, Don Bosco, Matunga continues to shine brightly in the inter-school football arena. As they gear up for their next clash, the school exemplifies what it truly means to be a nursery of champions.
