Udit Vani, Jamshedpur: XLRI Jamshedpur, India’s first B-School, kicked off its “Play for a Cause” initiative with the Fr. Enright Memorial Cricket Tournament on December 21. The event, dedicated to the memory of Fr. Quinn Enright, S.J., the founding director of XLRI, aims to unite the community while supporting charitable causes.
Inaugural Ceremony
The tournament was inaugurated by Sachidanand Mishra, second command officer of the 106th Battalion RAF, alongside Fr. S. George, S.J., Director of XLRI, and Fr. Donald D’Silva, Dean of Administration and Finance. They hoisted the flag and unveiled the tournament trophy, officially marking the start of the event. Mishra also distributed shoes and caps to the players, further adding to the occasion’s significance.
A Unique Spirit of Inclusivity
The tournament features 10 teams, including XLRI Alumni, faculty, staff, research scholars, security personnel, outsourced staff, regular vendors of XLRI, and the Tata Steel Foundation. While the event is a cricket tournament at its core, its underlying purpose transcends the game. It is a celebration of inclusivity, community, and social responsibility. The proceeds will support underprivileged individuals, further highlighting XLRI’s commitment to social causes.
The Fr. Enright Cricket Tournament serves as a platform to unite people from diverse backgrounds and engage them in charitable activities, setting a benchmark for meaningful contributions through sports.
Tournament Details
A total of 150 players will participate in 26 matches, with the finals scheduled for February 1, 2025. The inaugural match saw Vintage Warriors (DTDC) take on Tata Steel Foundation (TSF), with Vintage Warriors emerging victorious by 125 runs. Vikas Yadav was named Man of the Match for his brilliant performance, scoring 68 runs off 30 balls and taking 4 wickets in 3 overs.
In the second match, XL Alums faced Loyola Alumni Association. Loyola Alumni won by 3 wickets, with Utkarsh of Loyola Alumni being awarded Man of the Match for his stellar performance of 81 runs off 33 balls, leading his team to victory.
A New Tradition at XLRI
Fr. Donald D’Silva, the convenor of the tournament, shared his thoughts on this initiative: “This is the first cricket tournament organized in XLRI’s 75 years. The values we instill in our students must extend to providing opportunities for the less privileged. Cricket brings people together and helps build communities that share resources and concerns for the well-being of society. Through this tournament, we aim to spread the message of true happiness and positively impact people’s lives.”
उदित वाणी 
टेलीग्राम पर भी उपलब्ध है। यहां क्लिक करके आप सब्सक्राइब कर सकते हैं।