Strengthen St. John’s / Featured story
Beyond the classroom
Beyond the Classroom: A Legacy of Sporting Excellence
Celebrating excellence on and off the field
The story behind the legacy
Dr. Joseph Sequeira
Dr. Joseph Sequeira’s Tribute to the Lessons That Shape a Lifetime-Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Trophies
Two annual awards
Sportsman of the Year
₹1 lakh
Sportswoman of the Year
₹1 lakh
Annual monetary prize and inscribed commemorative plate
For Dr. Joseph Sequeira of the St. John’s Medical College Class of 1965, cricket was far more than a game. It was an education in discipline, resilience, leadership, and teamwork—lessons that would shape his character and remain with him throughout his medical career.
Growing up in Mangalore in the 1960s, when academics took precedence over athletics, Dr. Sequeira was fortunate to have parents who encouraged his passion for cricket. His talent earned him a place on the Mysore State School Cricket Team, and his sporting accomplishments and leadership qualities would later contribute to his selection for admission to St. John’s Medical College.
At St. John’s, he served as Indoor and Outdoor Sports Secretary, captained the college cricket team, and tried out for the Karnataka Ranji Trophy B team—all without the benefit of formal coaching or dedicated practice facilities.
“Lessons learnt playing sports include discipline, resilience, teamwork, sportsmanship and time management. These lessons learnt on the sports field helped me throughout my life and career.”
Yet, as graduation approached, Dr. Sequeira recognized something missing. While academic excellence was rightly celebrated, athletic achievement and the qualities of character nurtured through sports received little formal recognition. It was an observation that stayed with him—and ultimately inspired a meaningful act of generosity.
Through a generous endowment facilitated by Friends of St. John’s (FOSJ), Dr. Sequeira has established two annual recognition awards: Sportsman of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year. Unlike scholarships, which provide financial support for education, these awards specifically celebrate outstanding athletic achievement among graduating students. Each recipient will receive a monetary prize of ₹1 lakh and an inscribed commemorative plate. A permanent trophy displayed at the college will bear the names of successive recipients, creating an enduring tradition of sporting recognition.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with Director Fr. Jesudoss, Dean Dr. George D’Souza, and Dr. Marjorie Correa, with Dr. Mohan Peter playing a key role in bringing Dr. Sequeira’s vision to fruition.
At the heart of this gift is a simple and deeply personal hope:
“It is my hope that this award will recognize students who proudly represented SJMC and bring accolades to our institution through their athletic abilities.”
Dr. Sequeira’s generosity honors far more than sporting accomplishment. It celebrates the determination of students who pursue athletic excellence alongside the demanding responsibilities of medical education, recognizing that the qualities developed on the playing field are often the very qualities that distinguish exceptional physicians.
What began as one Johnite’s passion for cricket has become an enduring tribute to the many dimensions of excellence—and a legacy that will inspire generations of St. John’s students.
Strengthen St. John’s — Let What Inspired You, Inspire What Comes Next
Dr. Sequeira’s initiative captures the very spirit of FOSJ’s Strengthen St. John’s cause: the belief that some of the most meaningful contributions to our alma mater begin with something deeply personal.
While scholarships help deserving students pursue a medical education, initiatives such as Dr. Sequeira’s awards celebrate achievement, encourage individual talents, and enrich the broader student experience. Both represent meaningful, yet distinct, ways of investing in the future of St. John’s.
For Dr. Sequeira, it was a lifelong passion for cricket and a conviction that sporting excellence deserved recognition. For another Johnite, it might be a commitment to research, the arts, student well-being, mentorship, or an aspect of medical education that shaped their own journey. Each of us carries memories, experiences, and aspirations that could inspire a meaningful contribution to St. John’s.
His example reminds us that we need not wait for an established initiative to make a difference. Sometimes, all it takes is recognizing an opportunity, imagining what might be possible, and choosing to act. Through FOSJ, alumni can explore and support eligible projects in collaboration with the college, with charitable contributions qualifying for tax deductions as permitted by applicable law.
Dr. Sequeira has transformed something close to his heart into a lasting tradition for future generations. His story invites each of us to consider a simple but powerful question:
What matters deeply to you—and what might your generosity make possible at St. John’s?
Strengthen St. John’s — Where Personal Passions Become Lasting Legacies.
Let what shaped your journey inspire someone else’s. Let what matters to you make a difference for generations to come.
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Let what shaped your journey inspire what comes next.
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