Tag: Allycaral Sports

Sports

Clarence–Rajendra, Kane–Ruta Shine at BPS Open Pickleball Championship 2026 in Margao

Tanisha Cardozo

The BPS Open Pickleball Championship 2026 concluded on a high note at the iconic BPS Sports Club in Margao, delivering a final day packed with competitive intensity, close contests and commanding performances across categories.

Clarence Noronha and Rajendra Godinho capped off a strong campaign by clinching the Men’s Doubles 50+ title with a composed 11–5, 11–8 victory over Noel Noronha and Wilfred Jacques. Their consistency and control throughout the knockout rounds were evident, having earlier defeated Gaurav Sapra and Karan Singh 15–7 in the semifinals. In the quarterfinals, they had eliminated Lincoln and Savio Vales 15–5. Noel Noronha and Wilfred Jacques reached the final after overcoming Bipin Kantak and Subodh Shevde 15–8 in the semifinals and registering a commanding 15–1 win over Bosco Ravi Rebello and Ryan Costa in the quarterfinals.

In the Open Mixed Doubles final, Kane Roncon Pereira and Ruta Borkar delivered a dominant 11–2, 11–5 performance against Joshua Menezes and Audrey Menezes. The pair showcased sharp coordination and attacking precision, continuing the form that saw them defeat Vishnu and Aditi Chodankar 15–7 in the semifinals and Peter and Deepashree 15–3 in the quarterfinals. Joshua and Audrey had secured their final berth with a 15–6 win over Immanuel Rohan and Aarushi in the semifinals.

The Men’s Doubles (Open) category witnessed one of the most gripping finals of the tournament. Rahil Peris and Torcato Vaz rallied from a game down to defeat Immanuel Rohan and Joshua Menezes 6–11, 11–5, 11–7 in a thrilling three-game contest. Earlier, Rahil and Torcato had defeated Chinmay Kantak and Nihaal Borkar 15–6 in the semifinals, while Immanuel and Joshua edged past Anurag Agarwal and Kane Roncon Pereira 15–13 in a closely fought encounter.

In the Men’s Singles 35+ final, Immanuel Rohan overcame Nihaal Borkar 15–8, adding another highlight to his tournament run. Nihaal had progressed after defeating Nishant Verghese 15–5 in the semifinals, while Immanuel had secured his place in the final with a narrow 15–13 win over Tarun.

Across categories, the final day reflected the tournament’s competitive depth, featuring repeat matchups between seasoned rivals and tightly contested knockout games that kept spectators engaged throughout. The championship concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, marking the end of a successful three-day event that drew strong participation across age groups and categories at the BPS Sports Club, reinforcing Margao’s growing stature as a vibrant hub for pickleball in Goa.

Sports

Dubai Royals Lift Trophy as World Legends Pro T20 League Concludes in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

The inaugural edition of the World Legends Pro T20 League concluded in memorable fashion in Goa, with Dubai Royals lifting the trophy after a commanding 8-wicket victory over Pune Panthers in the final held on February 4 at the 1919 Sportz Stadium. The result capped a ten-day cricketing spectacle that blended nostalgia, competitiveness, and world-class performances from some of the game’s most celebrated names.

After winning the toss, Pune Panthers chose to bat first and made an assertive start through their openers, who put together a solid 100-run partnership. Upul Tharanga anchored the innings with a composed 55, while Martin Guptill continued his rich vein of form with a fluent 62. Dubai Royals clawed their way back into the contest through disciplined spin bowling, with Parvez Rasool breaking the opening stand and Piyush Chawla delivering crucial breakthroughs by dismissing Guptill and Pune captain Kieron Pollard. Shane Watson provided late impetus with an unbeaten 24-ball half-century, powering Pune Panthers to a competitive total of 195 for 4.

Chasing a challenging target, Dubai Royals displayed composure and intent. Manvinder Bisla set the tone with a fluent half-century, while captain Shikhar Dhawan once again underlined his class with a sublime 64, continuing his exceptional run throughout the tournament. Although Dwayne Bravo claimed the key wicket of Dhawan and Bisla departed soon after, Samit Patel and Ambati Rayudu stitched together a decisive partnership, guiding the Royals home comfortably with an over to spare.

The tournament featured 90 legendary cricketers from across the globe and witnessed packed stands, close contests, and standout individual performances. Piyush Chawla finished as the Purple Cap holder with 15 wickets, while Martin Guptill claimed the Orange Cap with 317 runs. The final was attended by Hon’ble Tourism Minister Shri Rohan A Khaunte and Shri Govind Gaude, MLA of the Priol Constituency, reflecting the state’s strong support for sporting initiatives.

Highlighting the broader impact of the league, Shri Rohan A Khaunte emphasised the role of sports tourism in diversifying Goa’s tourism economy and creating meaningful engagement for visitors beyond conventional travel experiences. As the curtain came down on its inaugural season, the World Legends Pro T20 League not only crowned its first champions but also firmly positioned Goa as a destination capable of hosting large-scale international sporting events while delivering lasting benefits to local communities.

Sports

A Majestic Morgan Masterclass Powers Rajasthan Lions Past Gurugram Thunders

Tanisha Cardozo

Rajasthan Lions continued their impressive run in the World Legends Pro T20 League with a commanding 27-run victory over Gurugram Thunders in Goa, led by a magnificent batting masterclass from Eoin Morgan. With the race for the semi-finals intensifying, both teams fielded formidable line-ups featuring some of the biggest names in world cricket, setting the stage for a blockbuster encounter.

After being put into bat, the Lions suffered an early setback when Sreesanth struck in the fourth over to dismiss Naman, showcasing sharp pace and disciplined line and length. However, what followed was a breathtaking exhibition of stroke play from Eoin Morgan. The stylish left-hander dominated the Thunders’ bowling attack, racing to a half-century off just 26 deliveries and effortlessly clearing the ropes with authority. Morgan’s innings came to an end at 78 off 38 balls, studded with six fours and six sixes, but by then he had firmly seized control of the contest, guiding Rajasthan to 116 for 2 by the 12th over.

The Lions capitalised on the strong platform, with valuable contributions from Callum Ferguson, Suresh Raina and Angelo Perera providing late impetus. Ferguson’s quick 39 off 24, Raina’s explosive 27 off just 12 balls, and Perera’s composed 42 off 36 helped Rajasthan Lions surge to a daunting total of 208 for 4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Chasing a stiff target, Gurugram Thunders attempted to keep pace with the required rate, but the regular fall of wickets dented their momentum. Despite spirited efforts from Chirag Gandhi, who struck a rapid 54 off 27 balls, and late resistance from Colin de Grandhomme and Ross Taylor, the asking rate continued to climb steeply. With wickets tumbling and pressure mounting, the Thunders eventually finished on 181 for 7, falling short by 27 runs.

The Lions’ bowlers played a crucial role in defending the total, with Shadab Jakati and JP Duminy picking up two wickets each to ensure the Thunders never truly threatened the target. The victory lifted Rajasthan Lions to second place on the points table with three wins from four matches, firmly placing them among the frontrunners for a semi-final berth, while Gurugram Thunders remain in fourth position with one win from four outings.

With momentum firmly on their side, Rajasthan Lions will look to carry this winning form forward as the World Legends Pro T20 League continues to deliver high-octane cricket and nostalgic brilliance in Goa.

Sports

Praneeth, Parth–Arnav Charge Into Finals at Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

The Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 continued to deliver high-quality tennis and edge-of-the-seat encounters as the tournament moved into its decisive stages in Panaji. Men’s Singles saw Praneeth produce a composed and resilient performance to overcome Eshaan in a closely contested three-set semifinal, clinching the match 7-5, 5-7, 11-9 to book his place in the final. In the other semifinal, Parth Deorurkhkar showcased grit and tactical awareness, bouncing back after dropping the second set to defeat Ashwin 6-2, 2-6, 10-5.

The men’s doubles competition witnessed Parth Deorurkhkar and Arnav Bansode maintaining their impressive run, defeating Maaz and Arnav H. 7-6(4), 6-2 to progress into the final. They will face Ashwin and Prathamesh, who edged past Paul and Nilesh 6-3, 7-5 in a competitive semifinal.

In the women’s singles semifinals, Unnathi staged a strong comeback after losing the opening set to defeat Sonicka 1-6, 6-4, 10-7. She will meet Nidi S, a first-time contestant, who caused a major upset by defeating defending champion Trisha Vinod in the other semifinal, setting up an exciting final clash.

Junior categories produced emphatic performances, with Gargi delivering a dominant display to claim the Girls Under-12 title, defeating Urvi 4-0, 4-0. In the Boys Under-12 segment, Divyaraj advanced to the final with a straight-sets win over Ethan. The Under-16 categories also saw decisive outcomes, as Kyan and Arav progressed to the boys’ final, while Tvisha advanced in the girls’ segment following Kimberly’s retirement due to injury.

Doubles events added further excitement, with Sonicka and Nidi reaching the ladies’ doubles final after a hard-fought win over Riya and Unnathi, while Trisha and Anupama sealed their place with a commanding victory over Tvisha and Bhavya. Mixed doubles semifinals saw contrasting contests, including a tight win for Anupama and Eshaan and a dominant performance by Trisha and Maaz.

Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group in association with the Goa State Tennis Association, the tournament has drawn a record 555 entries across Masters and Open segments, underlining its growing stature on the Indian tennis calendar and setting the stage for an exciting finals day.

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V Srinivasan, Husband of PT Usha, Passes Away at 67; Athletes Remember His Guiding Role

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Written by Alisha Fernandes || Allycaral

India mourns the loss of V Srinivasan, the husband of legendary sprinter PT Usha, who passed away at the age of 67. Known not only for his support of PT Usha’s illustrious career but also for his nurturing role at the Usha School of Athletics, Srinivasan was remembered as a father figure and mentor by many budding athletes.

Tintu Luka, the Asian Games medallist and one of the school’s most celebrated students, described Srinivasan as “Usha chechi’s backbone” and a guiding light for young women athletes. “If we needed anything he was there for us. I would tell him about anything that was worrying me, and he always listened patiently and guided us,” said Tintu, highlighting his deep commitment to fostering talent and instilling confidence in the athletes.

Beyond his familial support, Srinivasan played an instrumental role behind the scenes, ensuring that the athletes at the Usha School of Athletics had access to resources, encouragement, and moral support. His loss has left a profound void not only in PT Usha’s personal life but also in the larger Indian athletics community, where his quiet, steadfast presence helped shape the careers of countless women athletes.

Tributes have poured in from the athletics fraternity, celebrating his generosity, dedication, and mentorship. His legacy continues in the athletes whose lives he touched and the impact he made on Indian sports.