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Sports

"All Work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." At St. Xavier's College, the Sports Department has inculcated the spirit of sportsmanship in every Xaverian. Blessed with two lush green fields, the college activities comprises of sports like Basket Ball, Football, Hockey, Cricket, Squash, Aquatics and Volleyball among Others.

Our experience has been one that is no less than a stressful corporate job as we co-ordinate with the students of all the departments ranging 3000+in number. As we enter our final innings in the college, we have had an eventful experience being a part of this wonderful environment. The college has given a lot to us in the Past two years and we hope to make the most of our responsibilities and pay our dues to the college. We had our friends in our respective department and even more thanks to the sports Department under the guidance of our Director, Ms. Feeroza Mogrelia we have learnt a lot about man-management and the much needed art of event management.

There are approximately 25 different tournaments that take place in a year. Even for sports like Swimming, Squash and Badminton  for which we don't have in-house facilities we have tied up with Clubs and Associations in the city that provide services for the same. Our dream is to build a Sports Calendar that further includes all sports like Pool and Snooker. The Cricket and Football tournaments are most popular amongst the students receiving outstanding participation. The zeal and passion with which they play reminds one of a match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. We are perhaps the only college in the city that even organizes a Women's Cricket tournament. This event is one of the most popular events on our agenda.

Our Basket Ball and Hockey teams are playing in the divisions under the banner of Xaverians Club. Last year the Basket Ball team emerged champions in the 2nd division and was promoted to the 1st Division. The hockey team is currently playing in the 2nd division and hopes to achieve the same this year.

Out of all the colleges under the banner of Calcutta University, our college has the honour of holding the most number of 'University Blues' i.e. St. Xavier's College has sent up the most number of students as a part of the various sports teams of the Calcutta University. The University Squash team and Women's Basketball team comprises of a majority of Xaverians.

Very recently our college football team took part in the Calcutta University Inter College tournament and was unlucky to lose in the Quarter Finals. Our newly formed Volleyball team is doing quite well in the various tournaments. This year we added another feather to our cap when one of our students was selected to represent Calcutta University in the Diving Discipline Under the Aquatics category. Also, few of our students from the Basket Ball team went on to represent the Calcutta University and will  now be participating in the All India University Meet in January. Our paddlers and shuttlers are no less and have emerged as champions in the Inter - University Meets.

We also organize the Annual Sports Day, which is held every year in January. Students participate in a parade and steal the show where athletics is concerned. Last year, we had the famous Bengal Cricketer Ranadeb Bose as the chief guest for the event. The tug of war event which is held between B.Com and BA/B.Sc  is the most anticipated event of the day with the students being motivated and pushed on by the teachers, who themselves take on the non-teaching staff later.

According to Knut Rockne, "One man practicing sportsmanship is far better than fifty preaching it". Our director is of the same opinion and has always taught us to practice the same. We have had several instances of students walking when they get a nick during the cricket matches. Our college teams are the most disciplined and well behaved in the city, embossing the discipline structure of our college.

Under the true spirit of Nihil Ultra, we haven't set any limit for the achievements of our sportsmen and sportswomen. At the same time the doors of the sports department are open to one and all, as there is always some event taking place, and the response from the students is overwhelming. As in the words of George F. Will, "Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence"

- Mayanak Sanganeria (BBA III rd  Yr.) and Ritika Das (BA IIIrd Yr.)
The Xaverian 2009
Annual College Magazine