Football Fever Peaks: CMS Tournament Ends with La Martiniere Triumph

Lucknow: La Martiniere College’s triumphant victory at the Dr. Jagdish Gandhi Memorial Inter-School Football Tournament brought an energetic close to four days of competitive school-level football in Lucknow. Organised by City Montessori School, Gomti Nagar Campus I, the tournament at Chowk Stadium showcased the promise and passion of young athletes determined to make their mark on the field.

The final match saw La Martiniere College face Unity Inter College in a tightly contested battle that kept spectators engaged until the very last whistle. Both teams displayed commendable strategy, resilience and precision, but a decisive goal from La Martiniere sealed their 1–0 win and secured them the championship title. The atmosphere crackled with excitement as teammates rushed onto the field to celebrate their hard-fought victory.

Earlier, CMS Kanpur Road Campus clinched third place after edging past the host team, CMS Gomti Nagar Campus I, with a 1–0 scoreline. The match highlighted the skill and discipline of the players, reflecting the intense training and team spirit that characterised the entire tournament.

Individual talent also shone through the event. Yash Pandey of CMS Gomti Nagar Campus I was honoured as the Best Defender and All-Rounder, a recognition of his consistent and commanding performance. The Best Scorer Award went to Russell Glen White of La Martiniere College, while Abu Sufiyan of Unity Inter College earned the distinction of Best Goalkeeper for his sharp reflexes and dependable defence.

The closing ceremony was graced by international hockey player Devendra Singh, son of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Addressing the young athletes, Singh emphasised that the essence of sports lies not just in victory but in character building. He highlighted that the true reward of such competitions is the cultivation of sportsmanship and fair play—traits that extend beyond the field into everyday life.

Convenor and Principal of CMS Gomti Nagar Campus I, Soma Chandra, reflected on the deeper purpose of the tournament. Held in memory of renowned educationist Dr. Jagdish Gandhi, the event embodied his lifelong ideals of peace and global unity. She noted that the tournament not only nurtured budding sporting talent but also strengthened the message of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world is one family.

The tournament concluded with applause, medals and an enduring sense of camaraderie, leaving young players inspired to chase greater heights in the world of sports.