UditVani, Jamshedpur : XLRI inaugurated the third edition of the Fr. Enright Memorial Cricket Tournament (X-FECT 2025–26) amid great enthusiasm at the XLRI Grounds here on Saturday.
Centred around the theme “Play for a Cause,” the annual event blends competitive sport with a strong commitment to social welfare, reinforcing the institution’s ethos of service and community engagement.
The inauguration witnessed spirited participation from faculty members, staff, students, alumni, campus associates and well-wishers.
The ceremony included the unveiling of the tournament trophy, signifying the official commencement of X-FECT 3.0, followed by the season-opening match between Security Staff and Maintenance Staff — Eagles vs Panthers.
Dean’s Message of Purpose
Addressing the gathering, Fr. Donald D’Silva, SJ, Dean of Administration and Finance, underscored the tournament’s deeper mission. “X-FECT is not just a sporting event but a collective effort to uphold XLRI’s ethos of service, solidarity and community engagement. The funds raised will go toward charitable works. It is essential that those who ‘have’ extend support to those who ‘do not have,’ helping bridge the gap between the two,” he remarked.
A Bigger, More Inclusive Edition
This year’s tournament features:
* 12 men’s teams and 4 women’s teams
* 240+ amateur players from across the XLRI ecosystem
* An expected footfall of over 5,000 spectators across all match days
Matches will be conducted on weekends and holidays, progressing through league stages, eliminators, semifinals and culminating in a grand finale.
Awards will honour standout performers in categories such as Best Bowler, Best Batsman, Highest Sixes, Player of the Tournament and Team Champions.
The inaugural event was graced by Jesuit Fathers, the Director of XLRI, faculty members, staff, students and all participating teams.
XLRI expressed heartfelt gratitude to sponsors, supporters and participants whose contributions continue to make the tournament a meaningful platform for both sportsmanship and social impact.
