MSSA rope in dance troupe to create carnival-like atmosphere before U-10, U-8 finals



Yesterday's MSSA inter-school football finals at Azad Maidan were not only action-packed, but were also sprinkled with a dash of entertainment.

For the first time the schools' body arranged a performance from a professional group Steadfast, who performed freestyle dance during half-time and a DJ played loud music after every goal.

The live commentary and parents' enthusiasm only added to the electric atmosphere for MSSA inter-school under-10 and under-8 football finals at Azad Maidan yesterday.

MSSA football secretary Xavier Faria said: "This group has been performing at other tournaments. They were eager to perform here.

"So, we let them come for the finals because there is lot of crowd and support for schools. I am glad it turned out to be a grand evening."

The atmosphere was no less than that for an Indian Premier League match, except there were no cheerleaders here. But the kids were having a ball with the music and dance calming down the otherwise tension-filled atmosphere prevalent before finals.

Defending champions St Stanislaus High School lifted the under-8 boys title beating Don Bosco (Matunga) 2-1 in an exciting final. Bosco's began brilliantly with Sherwin Franco opening the account within the first couple of minutes of the start. However,u00a0 Axel Fernandes scored a brilliant equaliser for the Bandra school soon after, to make the match even more exciting.

And it was the Bandra side that deservedly got the winner thanks to a well executed free-kick by skipper Keith D'Souza immediately into the second half.

In the boys' under-10 final, Jamnabai Narsee beat Utpal Sanghvi High School (Juhu) 3-1 to lift the title. Skipper Aayush Kedia scored twice while Rachit Gupta added a third for Jamnabai even as Aayush Gambani pulled one back for Utpal Sanghvi.