Tampa, Florida: The 12th Mar Makil Basketball Tournament, organized at the Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Forane Church in Tampa, concluded with great excitement and participation. The tournament began at 9:00 AM on Saturday and continued with intense matches until it concluded around 8:00 PM.
A total of 15 teams from various Malayali Christian churches across Florida participated in the Middle School, High School, and College categories.
In the Middle School category, Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Forane Church, Tampa emerged as the champions, while St. Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Orlando finished as the runners-up. In the High School category, Zion Assembly of God Church, Hollywood secured first place and Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Forane Church, Tampa won second place. In the College category, Team A of Sacred Heart Knanaya Catholic Forane Church, Tampa won the championship, while Team B from the same parish secured the runners-up position. The winners were presented with trophies and cash awards by the parish vicar, Fr. Jose Adoppillil.

The tournament was organized by various committees led by the parish youth, including Justin Mattathilparambil, Jeffrey Cheruthanniyil, Dustin Mudeekkunnel, Tino & Ashley Puthuppallymyalil, Simon Poozhikkunnel, Alina Tharayil, Shawn Makkil, Sabin Poovathinkal, Christy Valechira, and Saneeta Poovathinkal. The parish Men’s Ministry and Women’s Ministry also arranged a variety of food stalls during the event.
The tournament has been organized annually for the past twelve years in memory of Bishop Mar Mathew Makil, the first bishop of the Kottayam Knanaya Catholic Archdiocese in India, who was later elevated to the status of Blessed in the Catholic Church.