Father Renny Kattel (center) presents the championship trophy for the basketball tournament of the Indian American Catholic Association to the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar team of Philadelphia.

Posted November 29, 2017

The Indian American Catholic Association (IACA) of Philadelphia held a basketball tournament last month in Philadelphia that welcomed young Indian Catholic men from this region and Connecticut, Baltimore and Long Island, N.Y.

Six teams of 54 Indian Catholic players representing their Syro-Malabar, Latin and Knanaya Catholic communities from their home areas competed at the Northeast Racquet Club on Oct. 28. In addition to basketball, the tourney raised funds to help eradicate cancer.

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The St. Thomas Syro-Malabar team of Philadelphia lifted the championship trophy, while the St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar team from Long Island was the runner up. Thomas Kanattu was the MVP of the tournament.

Charly Chirayath, president of IACA, welcomed the teams, Father Renny Kattel, director of IACA offered the opening prayers and Joseph Mani, IACA treasurer, threw out the first ball for the tournament.

Father Renny Kattel, Father Vinod Madathiparambil, Joseph Thomas and Thomaskutty Simon presented individual and team trophies.

Andrew Kannadan and Xavier Moozhikattu coordinated the successful event which players said they are looking forward to competing in again next year.

Joseph Thomas (center), a lay leader in the Indian American Catholic community, presents the runner-up trophy to the St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar team from Long Island, N.Y.