Featuring inter-school football giants Don Bosco, Matunga, in the first of our “Nursery of Champions” series, we delve into an outfit primed for MSSA U-16 Division I glory this year.
The Don Bosco (Matunga) under-16 Division I football squad stands poised to defend their enviable legacy. Winning has indeed become a habit for the Don Bosco team, a habit meticulously cultivated over years of dominance in the inter-school football scene.
In the past two decades, Don Bosco’s football team has clinched the Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) boys U-16 Division I titles an impressive 16 times: in 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, and 2004. This dominance might be extended further as they gear up to face Bombay Scottish (Mahim) in yet another final.
The path to this enduring success has not always been straightforward. The team finished as runners-up in 2016 and 2009, and they could have potentially won in 2020 and 2021 if the tournaments had not been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the team is led by Yohaan D’Souza, following the winning tenures of Yohaan Panjuani in 2023 and 2022, and supported by key players like Ayush Kharat and Arya Kamble.
Last week, the Bosco boys showcased their prowess by defeating their arch-rivals, St Stanislaus (Bandra), in the semi-finals, reiterating their status as an indomitable force.
Steering the Don Bosco team to numerous victories from the sidelines is Leslie Machado, who has been the school’s football coach for an incredible 35 years. “One of the main reasons for our success is the strong foundation we’ve built over the years. Our supremacy is a collective effort involving players, coaches, and support staff. The players train religiously, even during their holidays. We start nurturing these kids from the under-8 level, and now other schools have also begun early training programs inspired by our approach,” said Machado.
Experiencing sporting adversity is inevitable, but the way the Don Bosco players handle it sets them apart. Machado adds, “These boys are fighters; they never give up. With the influx of academies in schools, even other teams are becoming stronger. Despite that, we manage to hold our ground. For a team to perform well, we need not just one or two star performers but a solid squad of 16 good players,” he remarked.
Savio D’Souza, the school’s sports teacher for 27 years, attributes Don Bosco’s success to a combination of dedication, talent, and a strong team ethos. “Our dominance in inter-school football is a testament to our dedication, talent, and the strong culture we have cultivated that values teamwork and perseverance.
. Sir Leslie is renowned for his dedication, and he often spends extra hours mentoring players individually, encouraging them to excel both on and off the field,” D’Souza stated.
Even though Fr Crispino D’Souza, the former principal and rector of Don Bosco High School and Don Bosco International School, has been based in Pune since May 2023, the fruits of his passion for sports continue to sustain the school’s sporting success. Fr Crispino shared some history: “In the early 1990s, Fr Adolph Furtado started the sports division with 50-60 boys engaged in various sporting disciplines. Each sportsperson paid a monthly fee and received the best coaching possible. This initiative made Don Bosco the No.1 school in the city, a tradition built upon by Fr Adolph’s successors, including myself.”
The school also boasts an esteemed alumni network, including India cricketers Farokh Engineer, Ravi Shastri, Jatin Paranjape, and Shreyas Iyer. MM Somaya, a member of India’s 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medal-winning hockey team and Chief Operating Officer of the Bosco Sports Academy until recently, explained what makes Don Bosco unique. “A robust structure for talent identification, coaching, and exposure across multiple sports disciplines has been instrumental in our success. Each match’s outcome can often come down to how the stars align on the day, and Don Bosco’s well-equipped football stars always aim high.”
Former India cricketer Jatin Paranjape reminisces about the school’s emphasis on sports alongside education. “The fantastic sports infrastructure was a significant advantage. I balanced both sports and studies, thanks to the excellent time management instilled in us. Coaches like Mr Kumar Tamhane were pivotal in nurturing my game, focusing on punctuality and teamwork. My joy is magnified, knowing my two boys study here,” he reflected.
Current skipper Yohaan D’Souza shared his thoughts, stating, “The support we get from our coaches, especially Leslie Machado sir, is amazing. Our teachers are also very supportive of students in various sports teams. Leslie sir’s fitness at 69 motivates us all; he performs drills with the same intensity as us.”
Top performer Adair D’Souza echoed these sentiments: “The love for the sport, coupled with the discipline and passion ingrained in us from a young age, has been pivotal for our success. Coach Leslie has been instrumental in shaping us and guiding our growth both on and off the field.”
The winning tradition at Don Bosco, Matunga, a testament to their sustained effort and excellence, continues to thrive, fostering champions of today and tomorrow.
