NORTH EAST AND NORTH BENGAL WIN CISCE NATIONAL U-19 VOLLEYBALL TITLE

The North East and North Bengal Region were crowned CISCE National U-19 Boys Volleyball Champions after an impressive campaign at the 7th CISCE National Volleyball Championship, hosted by St. Jude’s Public School, Kotagiri, on September 22 and 23.

The team comprised nine players from** St. Joseph’s School, North Point, Darjeeling**, two from Sacred Heart School, Siliguri, and one from St. Augustine School, Kalimpong.** Mr. Parag Ekka coached the team, with Mr. Deepraj Gurung** as manager.

Competing against 14 states and regions, the North East and North Bengal side opened with a straight-set victory over Karnataka, last year’s runners-up, then defeated the North West Region to reach the knockout stage.

They beat Uttar Pradesh in straight sets in the quarter-final before overcoming defending champions Bihar and Jharkhand in a fiercely contested semi-final.

The final against hosts Tamil Nadu was equally demanding. The North East and North Bengal boys won the opening set as their war cry, “LUSSO!”, rang around the venue. Tamil Nadu took the second, but the North East side regained its composure and held firm in the decisive stages to secure the national title.

Following their performance, Kairav Pradhan, Prayash Chettri and Birswarang Brahma were selected to represent the region at the SGFI Games.

The championship marks a significant achievement for the players, their families, coaches and schools, highlighting the growing strength of volleyball talent from North Bengal and the North East. The team’s unbeaten run from Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kalimpong to the national stage in Kotagiri culminated in the region’s CISCE National U-19 title.

A note of appreciation from St. Joseph's, North Point for the VICTORS....

Not very long ago you walked the corridors of North Point as boys.....you return to us as CONQUERORS OF HITHERTO UNCHARTERED TERRITORY!!!

Your podium finish as the UNDEFEATED at the National Level has reinforced the very foundations on which 'The School on The Hill' was established more than a century ago. Our founding Fathers could not have dreamt of a greater achievement for their school and students.

You have carried that legacy on your strong and able shoulders and have delivered to the North Point fraternity the true meaning of the school motto- 'SURSUM CORDA'. You have proved to us that dreams do come true....albeit at a cost.....the blood, sweat and tears that go into turning dreams into reality!!!

You are testimony to the fact that 'All is Possible' no matter how humble the beginnings may be. You have raised the bar for all North Pointers - present and future....And most importantly you have instilled hope in every heart that beats within the Twin Towers! What greater glory can you bestow upon your beloved institution and what greater legacy can you leave behind in the sands of time at St. Joseph's?

We at North Point salute the efforts of the team, the Coach-Mr. Parag Ekka and the Manager - Mr. Deepraj Gurung for placing us on the National Map. You are indeed among the brightest stars that shine in the firmament of St. Joseph's, North Point....