Mangaluru: More than 50 priests from the Mangalore and Udupi dioceses will set aside their pastoral vestments for sports gear as they compete in the Diocesan Priests League (DPL 2026) Shuttle Badminton Tournament on Wednesday.
The official team jerseys for the tournament were unveiled at the Bishop’s House in Kodialbail on Tuesday, August 11.
Bishop unveils official DPL jerseys
Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore, officially unveiled the jerseys in the presence of Very Rev. Msgr Maxim L. Noronha, Vicar General.
Event coordinator Rev. Fr Anil Avild Lobo, Parish Priest of Nainad, and the team leaders were also present during the jersey launch.
Priests come together through sport
The DPL has been organised in connection with Priests’ Day, observed on August 4 in honour of St John Mary Vianney.
What began as a simple friendly sporting gathering among priests has developed into an annual tradition that provides clergy members an opportunity to strengthen fellowship, stay active and take a break from their demanding ministry schedules.
The tournament carries the motto ‘Faith, Fellowship, Fitness, Victory’.
Four teams to compete
The participating priests will compete across four teams:
- Lourdes Giants – Lourdes Central School, Bejai
- Co-Smashers – Codialbail Press
- Michael Warriors – Led by Rev. Dr Michael Santhumayor
- Lawrencians – St Lawrence English Medium School, Bondel
The tournament is expected to combine sporting competition with fraternity and camaraderie among the clergy.
Tournament begins at 4 pm
The DPL 2026 Shuttle Badminton Tournament will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 4 pm at the Lourdes Central School Indoor Stadium, Bejai.
Most Rev. Dr Peter Paul Saldanha will officially declare the league open with a short blessing before the matches begin.
The annual sporting event aims to promote not only fitness but also friendship and unity among priests from the two dioceses.