Category: Sports

Sports

Owen Coyle Returns to Jamshedpur FC as Head Coach for ISL 2025–26

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Jamshedpur FC have announced the return of Owen Coyle as Head Coach ahead of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season, marking a homecoming that has already ignited excitement among fans. The Scottish coach has signed a two-year contract, with trusted assistant Sandy Stewart joining him as part of the coaching setup.

Coyle’s return evokes memories of one of the most successful phases in the club’s history. During his previous stint, he led Jamshedpur FC to the 2021–22 ISL League Winners’ Shield, transforming the team from mid-table contenders into consistent title challengers through disciplined tactics and an attacking mindset.

The appointment follows the departure of Khalid Jamil, who guided Jamshedpur FC to a fifth-place finish last season before moving on to take charge of the India national football team. With the club keen to build on that momentum, Coyle’s familiarity with the squad culture and expectations made him a natural choice.

Confirming the appointment, Mukul Choudhari, CEO of Jamshedpur FC, described the move as a “natural fit,” citing Coyle’s proven track record, understanding of Indian football, and strong connection with the club’s supporters.

Fans have responded enthusiastically, with the club teasing the announcement on social media using the tagline “The Legend Returns”, a nod to Coyle’s lasting legacy in Jamshedpur. With the ISL season kicking off on February 14, expectations are high as the Red Miners aim not just for playoff qualification, but potentially another title push.

As preparations begin under familiar leadership, Jamshedpur FC will hope that Owen Coyle can once again instill belief, consistency, and silverware ambitions into the squad.

Sports

Goa to Host Two Qualifying Rounds of Red Bull Four 2 Score Season 4

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Goa is set to once again become a hotspot for grassroots football as it hosts two qualifying rounds of Red Bull Four 2 Score Season 4, one of the world’s most unique and high-intensity small-format football tournaments. With separate qualifiers scheduled in North and South Goa, a total of 96 teams from across the state will compete for coveted spots in the national finals later this year.

The North Goa qualifiers will take place at Play Goa, while South Goa will host matches at The Base. Both rounds are scheduled over January 24 and 25, with matches running from 9 am to 4 pm at each venue. Each qualifier will feature 48 teams, highlighting Goa’s deep-rooted football culture beyond professional leagues.

Red Bull Four 2 Score is known for its fast-paced and action-packed format. Matches are played four-a-side, without goalkeepers, on compact fields, and last 10 minutes. Adding to the drama, goals scored in the opening and closing 60 seconds count double, ensuring relentless attacking play from start to finish.

The tournament is open to players aged 16 to 35, with teams allowed a maximum of five players, including one substitute. Participation is inclusive across genders, and matches can be played on turf, grass, or hard courts—underscoring the tournament’s accessibility-first approach.

Winning teams from city qualifiers across India will advance to the national finals in Coimbatore, scheduled for the end of March. Ten city champions will compete in a group-plus-knockout format, with the winners earning the title of Red Bull Four 2 Score India Champions.

In the event of a draw, matches are decided through a golden goal showdown, where one player from each team goes head-to-head until a goal is scored. Any denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity during this phase results in an automatic win for the opposition, adding immense pressure and excitement.

The national champions will earn the chance to represent India at the Red Bull Four 2 Score World Final in Toronto, Canada, set to take place after the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Last season, Goa-based team Boom Boom Goa represented India at the World Finals in Salzburg—and will once again be among the teams to watch during the Goa qualifiers.

Sports

Veteran Tennis Players Battle It Out at Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, January 23, 2026: Veteran tennis players crossed swords at the 11th edition of the ongoing Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026, being held at the Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Miramar, and Panjim Gymkhana courts. More than a hundred matches were played in the highly competitive Masters category, making it one of the premier events on the veteran tennis calendar.


In the Masters men’s singles 60+ category, Kapinakadu defeated Santosh Fondekar 6–1, Sudhir Chiplunkar blanked Shivaji Chavan 6–0, Alok Raina beat Artemio Morais 6–2, Vijay Primlani defeated Alok Mishra 6–0, Agnelo Fernandes overcame D Bhasme 6–3, Sanjay Ashar trounced Hiren Bheda 6–0, Manoj Chandiramani edged Kapinakadu 6–4, Ujjwal beat Sudhir 6–3, Bipin defeated Sambasiva 6–1, Manoj Pandey blanked Nishith 6–0, Raviraj Bhagwan beat S S Bhasme 6–3, Bipin Sinha defeated Kishor Rajapurkar 6–0, Vijay Kamat beat Arvind Tiwari 6–1 and Gordon overcame Ramesh K 6–3.

In the Masters men’s singles 55+ category, Mladen defeated Manoj U 6–2, Y Ajml blanked Vikas G 6–0, Ashok K defeated Sanjeev K 6–0, Ganesh Iyer beat Swapnil 6–1, Jay Mishra defeated Steven Britton 6–2, Amol Atigre overcame Sujit S 6–2, Krishna K edged Vikrant 6–3 and Guruprasad beat Indrajit 6–1.

In the Masters 90+ men’s doubles category, Ashok and D Arumugam recorded a 6–0 win over Elvis and Marcus, Amol Atigre and Sachin K defeated Prithvi and Surjit 6–2, Anand and Abhishek blanked Santosh and Uttamkumar 6–0, Dhananjay and Rahul beat Prakash and Savadi 6–2, Arup and Sachin defeated Rahul and Sachin 6–1, Rajabanshi and Sunil beat Jaydeep and Vivek 6–1, Jijesh and Devendra edged D Chaudhary and Babasaheb 6–3, Yuvraj and Sachin P defeated Sachin and Subodh 6–3 and Parthasarathi and Praful beat Saumil and Abhijit 6–3.

Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group, in association with the Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA), the tournament has received a record 555 entries across the Masters and Open categories. Matches in the Open category are scheduled to commence from January 26, 2026.

Sports

GSB Unity Cup 3.0 Opens in Grand Fashion at Margao, Reinforcing Community Unity Through Cricket

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Margao: The GSB Unity Cup 3.0, organised by the Goa GSB Sports and Charitable Trust at the MCC ground, Margao, got off to a grand start on Wednesday with a floodlit opening match between Priority Titans and Shamrao Tridents.


The inaugural ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, who highlighted the role of the tournament in strengthening unity, sportsmanship and sporting culture within the community.

Speaking on the occasion, Trust president Sidhit Raiturkar said the organisers were delighted to host the tournament. He added that the Trust plans to establish a sports academy and a community centre in the future to further bring the community together.

Margao Cricket Club president Raghuvir Kunkolienkar wished all participating teams the very best and expressed hope that the spirit of unity would continue to grow stronger through cricket. Chirag Datta Naik, Managing Director of Commonwealth Developers, also extended his best wishes to the players and organisers.

Dr Sagar Salgaoncar, Managing Director of GENO Pharmaceuticals, congratulated the organising team and said he has closely witnessed the growth of GSB sports over the years. He described it as a pleasure to be part of the event and lauded the Goa GSB Sports and Charitable Trust for its sustained efforts.

Guest of honour Rohan Ramesh Kamat, Director of Kamat Realty, said sports teaches camaraderie and teamwork, noting that while one team wins and another loses, giving one’s best on the field is what truly matters.

Akash N. N. Khaunte, Director of ALCON – Anil Counto Enterprises, said the tournament was being organised for the third consecutive year and expressed happiness at being associated with the initiative. He added that the community should emerge as the real winner of the tournament.

In the opening match, Priority Titans defeated Shamrao Tridents by 15 runs. Batting first, Priority Titans posted a competitive total of 169 for 7 in 20 overs. Captain Yash Prabhugaonkar led from the front with a blistering 50 off just 19 balls, including four fours and four sixes.

For Shamrao Tridents, captain Siddharth Ghanekar and Anish Kakode claimed two wickets each, conceding 21 runs apiece.

Chasing the target, Shamrao Tridents managed 154 for 7 in their 20 overs, falling short by 15 runs. Nityay Kunkolienkar top-scored with a fighting 46 off 35 balls. Animesh Prabhu starred for Priority Titans with an impressive all-round performance, scoring 32 runs and taking three wickets to seal the opening win.

The GSB Unity Cup 3.0 has not only set the tone for an exciting cricket tournament but has also reinforced the message of unity and togetherness through sport.

Sports

Candolim Panchayat–Super 30 Football Programme Sets Benchmark in Grassroots Development

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji: Over the last six to seven years, a structured and community-driven football development model led by Candolim Panchayat, implemented through Super 30 Soccer Schools and represented competitively by Super Goan Football Club, has steadily emerged as one of Goa’s most consistent grassroots football ecosystems.


The programme, headed by president Ricardo Cardozo, focuses on building football development from the grassroots level with an emphasis on structure, patience and continuity. “We have always believed that football development cannot be rushed. If you give children the right environment early and stay committed to the process, results will follow naturally,” Cardozo said.

The system introduces children to organised football training from the age of six, following a progressive age-group structure that focuses on technical skills, tactical understanding, physical conditioning and discipline. This pathway allows players to move seamlessly into competitive football through Super Goan Football Club, the parent club of the programme.

Over the past four years, Super Goan FC has consistently finished among the top four teams in grassroots tournaments, winning multiple competitions, while also establishing itself as a strong contender in the GFA Second Division League with regular top-four finishes.

A major strength of the initiative has been the development of supporting infrastructure across multiple centres. Daily training sessions are held at the Candolim Panchayat Football Academy, where over 100 children train across various age groups. High-intensity futsal sessions are conducted at the Nagoa Futsal Arena.

The football network has expanded to centres at Porvorim and the Benaulim Constituency Football Academy, which functions under the Super 30 umbrella with the support of Warren Alemao, ensuring a common football philosophy across regions.

The programme has received consistent institutional backing from Candolim Panchayat, with continued encouragement from Blaize Fernandes. The technical framework is led by head coach Tony Okafor, while operations and coordination across centres and competitions are managed by Marcos Fernandes, Head of Department and Manager, with support from Shrikrishna Nagvekar.

Beyond results, the initiative has fostered strong community involvement, particularly on matchdays, where parents and supporters turn up in large numbers to create a vibrant atmosphere. “When parents become part of the journey, it motivates the children and strengthens the entire system,” Cardozo added.

One of the most significant outcomes of the programme has been its commitment to developing and competing with homegrown players. Several footballers who began their journey within this structure have progressed to professional youth clubs, continuing their careers beyond grassroots and state-level competitions.

With a clear grassroots-to-club pathway, growing infrastructure and strong community backing, the Candolim Panchayat–Super 30–Super Goan FC model continues to demonstrate how sustained grassroots planning can shape the future of football development in Goa.