Inter Collegiate Football Tournament

The Department of Physical Education, in collaboration with the IQAC Cell, organized the Mysore City Inter-Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament 2025–26 at St. Philomena’s College (Autonomous), Mysuru, from October 14th to 16th, 2025.

This event was held as part of the institution’s 80th year Oak Jubilee Year celebrations of the College, commemorating eight decades of academic brilliance, cultural vibrancy, and sporting heritage. The tournament brought together several colleges across Mysore city under the aegis of the University of Mysore, fostering a sense of team spirit, discipline, and sportsmanship among young athletes.

To promote healthy competition and teamwork among students.

To foster values of discipline, sportsmanship, and physical fitness.

To commemorate the institution’s milestone year through intercollegiate sporting excellence.

Reception of the Chief Guest:

The Chief Guest, Sri K. Gururaj, was formally received and escorted by Rev. Dr. Lourdu Prasad Joseph, Rector.

Chief Guest’s Address:

Mr. Gururaj highlighted the essence of discipline, integrity, and gratitude in sports and education.

He encouraged students to maintain humility and respect toward teachers and opponents alike.

He reminded players that true sportsmanship lies not in victory but in teamwork and mutual respect. He began by emphasizing that sports are not merely about winning trophies but about building values that last a lifetime.He reminded the young athletes that football teaches three essential qualities — discipline, teamwork, and humility — which are equally vital both on the field and in daily life.

Mr. Gururaj noted that every successful team thrives on trust, coordination, and respect for rules, and these same principles are the foundation of professional excellence in any field. He drew parallels between his experience in the Indian Railways and the world of sports, explaining how punctuality, coordination, and respect for hierarchy ensure smooth functioning — just as in a well-disciplined football team.

He urged students to always respect their teachers, coaches, and elders’, highlighting that gratitude is a true mark of character. “When you respect your mentors, you automatically learn to respect the game,” he remarked. He reminded the participants that a player’s attitude defines his success far more than skill alone.

Encouraging healthy competition, Mr. Gururaj told students to play with passion, honesty, and grace — whether they win or lose. He emphasized that defeat should be seen not as failure but as a lesson in perseverance and preparation. True victory, he said, lies in learning from every match and coming back stronger. He ended with an inspiring message:

“Play not just for the trophy, but for the pride of your college, for the joy of teamwork, and for the love of the game. True sportsmanship is shown not in victory, but in respect and unity”.

Rev. Dr. Lourdu Prasad Joseph delivered the Presidential Address, inspiring the athletes to play with purpose, faith, and commitment.
- He also stressed that sports play a critical role in building both physical fitness and mental resilience, adding that young athletes must maintain a balanced lifestyle of exercise, academics, and good conduct.
- He congratulated the Department of Physical Education for organizing the event and expressed that sports bring unity and build character.

The dignitaries were felicitated as a token of appreciation for their presence and contribution to the event’s success

Mr. Sujan Tribhuwan expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Management, Chief Guest, Rector, Principal, IQAC, organizing committee, and volunteers for their

Support and Co- operation.

The inauguration ceremony concluded with the National Anthem, marking a proud moment of unity and patriotism.

Position	Team / Institution
Winners	PGSC, MGM
Runners-up	St. Philomena’s College (Autonomous), Bannimantap, Mysuru
Third Place	SBRR Mahajana First Grade College
Fourth Place	JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru

Date: 16th October 2025
Venue: College Football Ground

Chief Guest & President:

Rev. Dr. Lourdu Prasad Joseph, Rector,St. Philomena’s College

Programme Highlights:

The valedictory function began with a note of appreciation by the Physical Director, Ms. Peria Nayagammal S., congratulating all participating teams.
The dignitaries distributed trophies, medals, and certificates to the winners, runners-up, and best performers.
The Rector congratulated the teams for their commitment and enthusiasm, and emphasized that sports are an integral part of holistic education.
The event concluded with the National Anthem and a collective photo session.

The Mysore City Inter-Collegiate Men’s Football Tournament 2025–26 concluded successfully, achieving its goal of nurturing sportsmanship and unity among students.

The event reflected the college’s commitment to holistic development through sports, teamwork, and leadership. The spirit of the tournament was best captured in the words of the Rector: “Victory is not merely in the score line, but in the values, respect, and friendships formed on the field”.