Feature
Century old soccer
field comes alive ....
Gregorian Aslam Khaleel
 A few months back in December 2007, St. Gregory's High School celebrated its 125th founding anniversary with glamour and clamour. The faculty and operations abandoned its century old Victorian abode and entered the newly constructed Colloseum type new building with state of the art facilities. But this construction chapter of about five years took a heavy toll on its playground by pausing all kinds of games and sports that took place, especially football.
The old boys and the school authorities came out with a novel idea of putting lifeline into their beloved playground by arranging a football tournament and introducing a trophy. Thirteen combinations of teams drawn up from teachers, present students and ex-Gregorians participated in this month long tournament. Corporate houses like City Group, Little Planet, etc. owned by Gregorians and other Gregorians came forward to sponsor this tournament.
The final match took place on July 4, 2008 among a senior and junior team. Heavy rain and cloud could not check the evaporating enthusiasm of both the huge crowd and highly spirited players. The youngish team outpaced the oldies team with their quick maneuvers and was soon in a 4 goal lead while the seniors looked out of steam. While in the gallery some guests were deeply lost with nostalgia - sketching their moves, calculating their maths, remembering their buddies, moments, events ....... in this same more than century old field which produced scores of players and athletes of this country. Gregorian Azam (1956 Batch) who has been playing in this field from 1948 just could not check his emotions. He was joined there by players like Grn. Kislu (renowned nation team goalkeeper), Grn. Nilotpal, Grn. Wasif Ali, Grn. Shameem, Grn. Tanvir, Grn. Iftekhar (he coaches community kids soccer teams in San Diego, California, USA), Grn. Asfhaque, Grn. Shukkur, Grn. Hafiz, Grn. Bulbul, Grn. Humayun, Grn. Bulu, Grn. Mamun... and scores of other Gregorians witnessing this finale. Only the cheerleading and thunderous voice of Brother Hobart seem to be missing but echoing and flowing among the hearts of all present there.
 This is not just a playground. It is the extended part of the academic classrooms where the teachers spent countless hours for the students' academic and personal development.
The students would jump out of their classrooms within the strike of last class bell at 3.40 pm ............. some already dressed with their boots or bats ready to take on their counterparts. And this still goes on today. Looking out of the classrooms some exercised their vision through the greenery of the field towards the blue sky.
As half time passed by more rains poured in, the senior teams seem to come out of their hibernation or ageing toll. By this time they have calculated their moves. They remembered Serajul Huq Sir's geometry and Mrinal Sir's Physics teaching (and punishment) very well and came down with sudden power shots at weak angels which put them in a 6-4 win.
Grn. Kislu was a special guest on this occasion. The prize giving ceremony was attended by Brother Robi Purification, CSC, Headmaster St. Gregory's High School, Grn. Shamsul Azam, President -The Gregorian Association (TGA), Grn. Shameem Hussain, Secretary TGA, Grn. Aslam Khaleel, Grn. Asfhaque Ahmed, Grn. Wasif Ali, Gr. Meera and Gr. Hafiz Executive Committee members of the Gregorian Association.
See you next year at this tournament..............
(khaleels@daffodilnet.com)
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