The Late Bishop William D’Mello Memorial Cricket Tournament was held on 10 December 2025 at the Railway Ground, Shirwad–Karwar, in loving memory of the late Bishop William D’Mello, whose dedicated service continues to inspire the Diocese of Karwar.

The tournament was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Duming Dias, Bishop of Karwar, in the presence of Rev. Fr. Richard Rodrigues, Vicar General, and Msgr. Simon Tellis, who formally declared the event open. In his inaugural address, Bishop Duming Dias recalled the remarkable contributions of the late Bishop William D’Mello to the Diocese and highlighted his passion for fostering unity and fraternity among priests and faithful. He encouraged all teams to play with enthusiasm, discipline, and true sportsmanship.

Following the address, the dignitaries honored the memory of Bishop D’Mello by offering flower petals before his portrait. They then proceeded to the ground, where Bishop Duming Dias officially inaugurated the tournament by cutting the ribbon, marking the beginning of a day filled with energetic and friendly competition.

Four priest teams participated in the league-format tournament: Anointed Strikers, St. Carlos Acutis, St. Joseph’s Warriors, and Vianney Blasters. All teams displayed commendable skill, teamwork, and spirit throughout the matches. After an exciting series of games, St. Carlos Acutis emerged as the runners-up, and the Anointed Strikers were crowned the champions of the 2025 tournament.

The trophy and prizes were presented to the winning and runner-up teams by Bishop Duming Dias during the Christmas celebration program, making the moment even more memorable and joyful. The tournament not only honored a visionary shepherd of the Diocese but also strengthened the bond of unity and fraternity among the priests through sports and healthy competition.