Annual sports at the St Xavier’s College grounds; (below) the St Xavier’s men’s cricket team with principal Dr J Felix Raj

St Xavier’s College is creating a mini record of sorts in college- and university-level sports. The college had one of the highest number of University Blues (a certificate awarded to college students who participate on behalf of Calcutta University) this year at 28. Last year’s number too stood the highest, at 32. And that is just the beginning of SXC’s many sporting achievements.

In the last academic year, the men’s table tennis team was the runner-up in CU’s inter-college tournament, where the boys also won the cricket tournament, came second in the badminton tourney and third in volleyball. The girls teams, too, have been winning laurels for the college, topping the table tennis tournament and closing third in badminton.

And if there was an inter-college basketball tournament conducted by CU, they might have made their mark there, too. “There isn’t any college with a women’s basketball team. Which is why SXC is affiliated to the West Bengal Basketball Association and the college team plays in their league and state-level tournaments,” explains Feroza Mogrelia, director of sports, SXC.

Students from the college also brought CU a silver and a bronze in athletics at the all-India university-level competition in 2008. The women’s table tennis team for the university had a student from SXC, while the tennis team representing CU comprised wholly of Xaverians. Another Xaverian, Aheli Banerjee, was last year’s silver medallist at the AIU Rowing competition.

“There are 25 different intra-college competitions for men and women held throughout the year. The list of competitions spans everything from swimming and football to cricket and rowing. Now, even the women’s cricket competition in college throws up 15 to 16 teams!” smiles Feroza.

Sports is part of Xavier’s culture, says the director. “We emphasise sports as the institute believes in developing wholesome well-rounded personalities as citizens. Our principal Father Felix is very supportive,” she says. “From not missing practice to committed coaches, it’s all very professional here,” says Aaron Reddon, who represents SXC in hockey and football. “The numbers are swelling every day and nearly everyone is willing to participate,” smiles the director.