Mangaluru: The men’s football team of St. Joseph Engineering College (SJEC), Mangaluru, emerged as champions at the VTU Mangaluru Division Football Tournament held at AITM, Bhatkal, on April 16 and 17, 2026. The team’s outstanding performance and teamwork led them to clinch the top position, bringing pride to the institution.
The tournament featured participation from several engineering colleges across the region, making the victory a significant achievement for the SJEC team.
Dominant performance throughout the tournament
The SJEC team displayed exceptional skill, coordination, and determination throughout the tournament. Their consistent gameplay and strategic approach enabled them to outperform their competitors and secure the championship title.
The players demonstrated strong teamwork, discipline, and resilience on the field, which played a crucial role in their success. Their performance reflected rigorous training and a competitive spirit.
Guided by dedicated coaching team
The team was guided by Physical Education Director Ms. Vaneesha V Rodrigues and Assistant PED Mr. Sudheer M, whose mentorship and training were instrumental in shaping the team’s performance.
Their continuous support and strategic guidance helped the players maintain focus and deliver their best throughout the tournament.
Talented squad leads victory
The winning squad comprised talented undergraduate students from various departments, showcasing the institution’s diverse sporting talent. The team members included Gokul Satheesan (6th Semester CSE), Sweedan Cardoza (6th Semester AIML), Abaan Abdul Jabbar (2nd Semester ECE), Preston Ansel Rodrigues (2nd Semester AIML), Nathan Darvin Alfanso (6th Semester CSE), M A Mohammed (4th Semester CSBS), Ekalavya Nihar Atholige (2nd Semester CSE), Abhith Ajay (6th Semester Mechanical Engineering), Karthik Prabhakar M V (6th Semester CSBS), Avaneesh H Kamath (6th Semester EEE), Ramith Chandran P (2nd Semester ECE), Nakul Raj E (6th Semester ECE), Aaron Noronha (6th Semester CSBS), Sasang K (8th Semester ECE), Shazil (8th Semester EEE), and Ruben Roy (6th Semester EEE).
Each player contributed significantly to the team’s success, demonstrating commitment and sportsmanship.
Recognition and appreciation
The management of SJEC congratulated the team and the Physical Education Directors for their outstanding achievement. The championship victory is a testament to the institution’s emphasis on promoting sports and extracurricular excellence alongside academics.
Inspiring future athletes
The victory of the SJEC men’s football team serves as an inspiration for other students to actively participate in sports and strive for excellence. It also highlights the importance of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance in achieving success.
With this achievement, SJEC continues to strengthen its reputation in intercollegiate sports, encouraging students to excel both academically and athletically.