Although dismissing news of Vincent's rejoining competition as rumours, Principal Fr Kenneth Misquitta, provided some hope as he said: ``We want to participate but only if the Poona Schools Amateur Athletic Association (PSAAA) seek a consensus about the issues involved age limit and the question of junior college participation.

``There are rumours doing the rounds. Even my teachers talk about it but nothing is official,'' Fr Misquitta explained.

The undisputed kings of Inter-School sports in the city, Vincent's have been champions for over 50 years before withdrawing from competition after PSAAA enforced restrictions on their participation. The PSAAA reckoned that junior college students should not participate in their meets for schools. That, along with PSAAA's lifting the age limit from 15 to 17 years, was found by Vincent's to be unacceptable.

Fr Misquitta elaborates on Vincent's point of view: ``It is the policy of the State government down the years to deem junior college as part of school. Why this ruling, then?'' he queries.

Fr Misquitta, the former secretary of Vincent's Association, has fond memories of Vincent's last triumph three years ago. A keen sports fan, he is keen on bringing the school back into competition and is looking forward to a change in PSAAA's policy.

Fr Misquitta's return last year as principal of the school has made students, itching for competition, upbeat.

One past pupil of the school recollects: ``We even forgot India-Pakistan cricket matches to watch St Vincent clash with Ornellas in football.''Possibly an exaggeration, thought another student who enthused nevertheless on Vincent's pulling power as he said: ``Vincent's ground was packed to capacity for any final be it football or hockey.''