Author: Tanisha Cardozo

Sports

GFA Cracks Down on Match-Fixing: 14 Players Charged in Goa Pro League Probe

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa Football Association has taken a decisive step in addressing alleged match-fixing in the Goa Professional League 2025-26 season by issuing a detailed 288-page chargesheet to 14 players, most of whom are former members of Chapora Yuvak Sangh. The move marks a significant development in one of the most serious integrity-related investigations in Goan football in recent years.

The probe was initiated after Chapora Yuvak Sangh sacked nine players in October 2025 and subsequently filed a formal complaint along with an FIR at Mapusa Police Station. In response, the Goa Football Association appointed retired Deputy Superintendent of Police Sandesh T. Chodankar as the Investigating Officer to conduct a thorough inquiry into the allegations.

Following months of investigation, the Ethics Committee compiled an extensive chargesheet outlining the findings and evidence against the players involved. The accused players have now been given a period of 10 days to submit their responses, after which the committee is expected to deliberate and announce its decision in early March. Potential sanctions could have significant implications for the players’ careers and the broader football ecosystem in the state.

Speaking on the development, GFA President Dr. Caitano Fernandes reiterated his commitment to cleaning up the sport in Goa. He stated that upon taking office in 2022, he had assured clubs of firm action against unethical practices and emphasised that the association is moving steadily towards fulfilling that promise. He further added that the Executive Committee will take the strongest possible action against those found guilty.

The case has drawn widespread attention within the football community, highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining integrity in competitive sport. As the process moves forward, the outcome is expected to set a strong precedent for governance and accountability in Goan football, reinforcing the importance of fair play and transparency in the game.

Human Interest

RM Takes the Wheel: BTS Leader’s First Driving Video Delights Fans

Tanisha Cardozo

RM, the leader of global K-pop sensation BTS, has once again captured the internet’s attention—this time not with music, but with a surprisingly relatable personal moment. The artist recently shared his first-ever driving video, offering fans a rare glimpse into a quieter, more candid side of his life.

The short clip, posted with the caption “Let’s keep smiling and hype it up,” shows RM behind the wheel, navigating the road with visible caution and a slightly tense posture. The video quickly made waves across social media platforms and fan communities, where viewers were both amused and charmed by his careful driving style. Many pointed out the contrast between his composed, intellectual public persona and the nervous energy of someone new to driving.

RM had previously revealed that he obtained his driver’s license, though he also made it clear that owning a car was not part of his plans. Sharing more about his decision, he explained that learning to drive was a personal step taken to overcome a past trauma rather than a practical necessity. His candid admission added emotional depth to what might otherwise have been seen as a simple update, giving fans insight into his personal growth and resilience.

Adding to the lighthearted tone, RM acknowledged his own awkwardness in the video, joking, “I’m funny too,” a remark that resonated strongly with fans who appreciated his honesty and self-awareness. The moment quickly became a favourite among the BTS fandom, with many describing it as “unexpectedly cute” and deeply relatable.

The timing of the video has also heightened anticipation among fans, as BTS prepares for a major comeback. The group is set to release its fifth full-length album “Arirang” on March 20, followed by a special event titled “BTS Comeback Live: Arirang” at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on March 21. As excitement builds around the new music, RM’s personal update has added a refreshing and human touch to the global buzz surrounding the group.

Through moments like these, RM continues to strengthen his connection with fans, reminding them that beyond the global fame and success, he remains grounded, evolving, and open about his personal journey.

Sports

Baale BPS Open 2026 Kicks Off Strong as Masters 45+ Players Shine

Tanisha Cardozo

The third edition of the Baale BPS Open 2026 got underway with an impressive display of skill and competitive spirit in the Masters 45+ Singles category at B.P.S. Sports Club in Margao. Veteran players set the tone early in the state-ranking tournament, delivering a series of decisive performances as they progressed through the opening rounds.

The tournament was inaugurated at the Margao venue in the presence of key dignitaries from the local tennis and sporting community, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting edition. From the outset, players showcased sharp form, with several dominant wins highlighting the opening day’s action. Sameer secured a commanding 6-0 victory over Anup, while Pankaj Naik mirrored that performance with a clinical win against Brian by the same margin. Kalyananaraman B advanced with a confident 6-2 win over Rohan L, and Marcus edged past Kedar in a closely fought contest, finishing 6-4. Ehrlick also progressed comfortably with a 6-0 victory over T Kulkarni.

The intensity continued into the second round, where Dimitry delivered a composed performance to defeat Sidharth S 6-2. Neville battled through a tight match against Sameer, eventually winning 7-5, while Kalyananaraman B maintained his strong run with a convincing 6-1 victory over Kishore. Marcus continued his steady form with a solid 6-3 win against Naveen, further underlining the competitive depth in the veterans’ category.

Supported by Baale Resort Goa and conducted under the aegis of the Goa State Tennis Association, the tournament has attracted a total of 197 entries across junior, open, and veterans’ categories. The growing participation reflects the tournament’s rising stature within Goa’s sporting calendar. This year’s edition has also introduced new veterans’ events, including the Masters 60+ Singles and Masters 100+ Doubles categories, expanding opportunities for senior players to compete at a structured level.

The tournament will run over 11 days at the B.P.S. Sports Club courts, with matches scheduled across multiple categories. As the competition progresses, players and spectators alike can expect more high-quality tennis and closely contested matches, reinforcing the event’s reputation as one of the state’s premier tennis tournaments.

Sports

FC Goa Signs Indian Super Gaming League as Principal Sponsor for ISL 2025-26

Tanisha Cardozo

FC Goa have announced Indian Super Gaming League as the club’s Principal Sponsor for the 2025-26 Indian Super League season, marking a significant step in blending traditional sport with the rapidly growing esports ecosystem in India. As part of the agreement, ISGL will feature prominently on the front of FC Goa’s matchday kits, strengthening its visibility while aligning with one of Indian football’s most progressive clubs.

The partnership comes at a strategically aligned moment, with the timelines of the Indian Super League and the debut season of the Indian Super Gaming League running in sync. This alignment allows both entities to maximise engagement and build a shared narrative that connects football fans with the expanding gaming community across the country.

Beyond jersey branding, ISGL will have a strong presence across FC Goa’s digital platforms and branding initiatives, enabling the creation of engaging and interactive content that resonates with both sports and esports audiences. The collaboration aims to foster deeper connections between fans while opening new avenues for storytelling and community engagement.

The Indian Super Gaming League, an initiative by LetsGameNow, represents a focused push towards the growth and professionalisation of esports in India. With a structured format, diverse gaming titles, and a nationwide reach, the league is designed to identify, nurture, and elevate emerging gaming talent. Backed by extensive experience in organising gaming tournaments, LetsGameNow aims to position ISGL as a premier competitive platform, with its grand finale scheduled to take place in Mumbai on March 15.

Speaking on the partnership, FC Goa CEO Ravi Puskur expressed enthusiasm about welcoming ISGL on board, noting that esports is gaining significant momentum in India and aligns with the club’s philosophy of grassroots development. He highlighted that both organisations share a common goal of creating structured opportunities for young talent, whether on the football pitch or in competitive gaming arenas.

Gautam Badalia, Co-Founder of LetsGameNow, emphasised that the collaboration reflects a natural extension of ISGL’s mission to provide credible platforms for aspiring players. He noted that FC Goa embodies the sporting aspirations of Goa’s youth and shares a commitment to building professional pathways for emerging talent. The partnership, he added, represents a strategic integration of traditional sports and esports, driven by discipline, ambition, and opportunity.

As part of its nationwide outreach, the league will host qualifying rounds across five cities, including Goa, where the event is scheduled for March 6 in association with FC Goa. The initiative offers aspiring gamers a chance to compete across multiple esports titles, reinforcing ISGL’s vision of empowering the next generation of players to perform confidently on both national and global stages.

Social Media

WhatsApp Introduces Group Message History Feature for New Members

Tanisha Cardozo

Joining a group chat midway through an ongoing conversation has often been confusing, leaving new members without context and forcing them to rely on others for updates. Addressing this common issue, WhatsApp has introduced a new feature called Group Message History, aimed at making group interactions more seamless and efficient.

With this update, group administrators can now share recent chat messages with newly added members, helping them quickly understand the flow of conversation. Previously, users joining a group could only see messages sent after they were added, which often led to communication gaps, especially in work-related groups, community discussions, and long-standing family chats. Members frequently had to request screenshots or ask others to resend important details, creating unnecessary back-and-forth.

The new feature offers flexibility and control to administrators. It does not function automatically, meaning admins must actively choose to share message history when adding a new member. They can also decide how many messages to include, with options ranging from 25 to 100 recent messages. This ensures that new participants receive enough context without overwhelming them with excessive information.

Administrators retain full authority over the feature, including the ability to enable or disable it based on group preferences. While regular members cannot share chat history, admins continue to have exclusive control over what is shared with newcomers.

Importantly, WhatsApp has clarified that the introduction of this feature does not compromise user privacy. All shared messages remain protected under the platform’s end-to-end encryption system, ensuring that only group members can access the content. To maintain transparency, WhatsApp notifies existing group members whenever chat history is shared with a new participant. Additionally, these shared messages retain their original timestamps and sender details and are visually distinguished from regular messages for clarity.

The feature is currently being rolled out globally and will be available on both Android and iOS devices. Users who do not immediately see the update are advised to install the latest version of the app and wait for the rollout to reach their region. With Group Message History, WhatsApp aims to enhance user experience by reducing confusion, improving communication flow, and making group conversations more inclusive for everyone involved.