Tag: Cricket Development

Sports

Goa Tourism Inspires the Next Generation of Cricketers through World Legends Pro T20 League Trophy Tour

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 2, 2026: In a bid to inspire young talent and promote inclusive participation in sports, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, in association with the World Legends Pro T20 League, organised a Trophy Tour and Player Interaction at the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Ground in Porvorim.


The initiative aimed to motivate youth and women to actively engage in sports by offering meaningful interaction with legendary cricketers while highlighting the unifying power of sport. Aspiring sportspersons, students, and cricket enthusiasts gathered for an evening filled with inspiration, learning, and celebration.

The programme featured an interactive Q&A session where participants gained insights into the journeys, challenges, and experiences of professional cricketers. To further boost engagement, a fun quiz segment was conducted, with official merchandise and match tickets awarded to winners. The event concluded with a photo session, allowing attendees to capture memorable moments with the players and the World Legends Pro T20 League trophy.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted the transformative role of sports, stating that sports inspire confidence, resilience, leadership, and values such as teamwork, discipline, and inclusivity. He reaffirmed Goa’s commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for participation across all sections of society.

The event began with a warm welcome by the emcee, setting an inclusive and engaging tone for the evening. The Trophy Tour and Player Interaction formed part of the lead-up to the World Legends Pro T20 League matches in Goa and reflected the Department of Tourism’s continued efforts to promote sports tourism while fostering empowering community-driven experiences.

Sports

Goa Awaits Its First National Cricket Icon, Says BJP State President Damu Naik

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

BJP State President Damodar ‘Damu’ Naik expressed optimism that Goa will soon produce a national-level cricketer who can emerge as a definitive icon for the state. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the Grand Auction of the Junior Cricket Championship (JCC), organised by the Oxford Cricket Club at Borda, Margao.

The Junior Cricket Championship is scheduled to be held from February 25 to 28, with matches to be played at venues in Arlem, Margao, and Vasco–Chicalim. The tournament will feature three age-group categories — Under-15, Under-14 and Under-13 — aimed at nurturing talent at an early stage.

The auction marked an important milestone for the championship, bringing together team owners, young players, organisers and officials. Among those present were JCC President Romeen Mulam, Mentor Sandeep Naik, and former Ranji cricketer and former Goa Under-19 coach Robin D’Souza.

Addressing the gathering, Naik noted that while cricketing infrastructure was once a challenge in Goa, the progress made in recent years has been significant. He highlighted the tournament’s theme, “Fueling the Future,” and said platforms like the JCC are enabling young players to thrive. He also acknowledged the growing role of parents, who are increasingly investing in their children’s nutrition, fitness and training. According to him, Goa is now simply waiting for one player to break through at the national level and become a symbol of the state’s cricketing potential.

Sharing the journey of the Oxford Cricket Club, Romeen Mulam said the initiative began over two decades ago in Dubai under Mukhtar Khadri. While auctions are common in tennis-ball cricket for adults, he identified a gap in similar opportunities for children. He noted that the response to the championship has been overwhelming, with 196 players registering despite an initial cap of 150.

Mentor Sandeep Naik, a former Ranji cricketer and coach, stressed the importance of parental support in the development of young athletes. He said the platform is not about winning or losing, but about giving children an opportunity to showcase their talent, while thanking the owners of the eight teams for their support.

Former Ranji player Robin D’Souza praised the initiative, stating that such foundations are crucial for long-term growth. He observed that the standard of Goan cricket has already improved at the junior level, particularly in the Under-14 and Under-16 categories, and expressed confidence that the upward trajectory will continue.

Sports

GCA Conducts U-14 Boys’ State Team Trials at Porvorim

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

The Goa Cricket Association successfully conducted the U-14 Boys’ State Team Trials for the 2025–26 season on December 11 and 12 at Porvorim, offering young cricketers from across the state an opportunity to showcase their skills and stake a claim for state selection. The trials attracted promising talent, reflecting the growing interest and depth of grassroots cricket in Goa.

Players were assessed on various aspects of the game, including batting, bowling, fielding and overall match awareness, as selectors closely observed performances over the two-day process. The trials were supervised by GCA Secretary Tulshidas Shetye, Joint Secretary Anant Naik, Senior Director Prakash Mayenkar, Junior Director Sharad Padnekar, Chairman Sahil Dhuri, along with the association’s coaching staff.

The presence of senior officials ensured that the selection process was conducted in a transparent, fair and well-organised manner, in line with the association’s commitment to nurturing young talent and strengthening the state’s cricketing future. The trials form a crucial step in identifying players who will represent Goa in the upcoming domestic season, while also motivating young athletes to continue developing their skills at the grassroots level.

Through initiatives like these trials, the Goa Cricket Association continues to focus on building a strong foundation for cricket in the state, encouraging participation, discipline and excellence among the next generation of players.

Sports

Mahesh Dessai Unveils Ambitious Vision to Transform Goan Cricket

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa Cricket Association President Mahesh Dessai has presented an ambitious and forward-looking vision aimed at transforming the cricketing landscape in Goa through transparency, professionalism, and a renewed commitment to talent development. Expressing heartfelt gratitude to GCA members and clubs for placing their trust in his leadership, Dessai emphasized that his mission is to build an ecosystem where every cricketer in the state — from budding players at the grassroots to those competing at senior levels — receives the infrastructure, coaching, and opportunities they need to excel. He reiterated that the GCA under his guidance will operate with complete transparency and accountability, ensuring that faith in the system is restored and strengthened.

Highlighting the power of inspiration in sport, Dessai referenced India’s recent triumph in the Women’s World Cup semi-final against Australia, where Australia were bowled out for 337 and Jemimah Rodrigues delivered a match-winning performance that captivated the nation. He noted that such remarkable achievements become possible when athletes are supported with strong structures, belief, and consistent opportunities — the very elements he aims to bring into Goan cricket.

Dessai’s vision includes a comprehensive plan to upgrade existing stadiums, enhance ground facilities, and develop new turf wickets and indoor practice centres across the state. He stressed the importance of strengthening grassroots cricket by introducing structured coaching programs and expanding inter-school and inter-district tournaments to scout promising young talent. A significant part of his vision focuses on boosting women’s cricket through dedicated training hubs, tournaments, and mentorship programs designed to encourage greater participation and skill development among women players in Goa.

Ensuring good governance remains a key element of his roadmap, with a strong push for merit-based selections, regular financial audits, and transparent communication with member clubs. He also aims to invest in capacity building by facilitating certification and refresher courses for coaches and umpires so that the technical quality of cricket in Goa continues to rise. Dessai emphasized the importance of collaboration with the BCCI, clubs, academies, and schools, stating that unified efforts will help make Goan cricket more competitive and professionally managed.

Additionally, the new GCA leadership is keen on reviving inter-office, corporate, and veterans’ tournaments to re-energize community engagement with the sport. Plans are also underway to introduce initiatives at the community level to bring fans closer to cricket and foster a more vibrant sporting culture. With Mahesh Dessai at the helm, the Goa Cricket Association is poised to usher in a stronger, more inclusive, and purpose-driven era for cricket in the state, aiming to provide every deserving player the platform they need to shine.

Sports

Goa Pushes Major Overhaul in Women’s Cricket, Eyes New Stadium in Three Years

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Women’s cricket in Goa is set to enter a transformative phase as the Goa Cricket Association announces several key decisions aimed at rebuilding and strengthening the sport across the state. Following the Annual General Body meeting in Porvorim, GCA President Mahesh Dessai shared a detailed roadmap outlining the Association’s renewed focus on grassroots development, infrastructure creation, and a more strategic approach to talent nurturing. One of the most significant steps is the launch of five exclusive training centres dedicated entirely to girls. Dessai highlighted how the number of functional centres had previously dropped, but the Association has now revived 20 centres across the Under-16 and Under-14 categories, with the new Pink Centres designed specifically to encourage girls to take up cricket in larger numbers. National-level player Neha Tanwar has been brought on board to mentor and guide the programme, ensuring high-quality support for upcoming talent.

The GCA also stressed the importance of competitive exposure, announcing plans for intra-centre tournaments that will serve as the basis for state-team selection in the junior categories. Alongside the development of women’s cricket, the Association is once again turning its focus to the long-delayed dream of a dedicated cricket stadium for Goa. Dessai reaffirmed the commitment to begin work within the next three years, noting that the government has expressed full support. While Dhargal remains the preferred location due to its proximity to the Mopa airport and accessible infrastructure, alternative suggestions like Mauliguem are also being assessed. Permissions for construction are being renewed, and steps such as the removal of high-tension wires at the site have already been initiated.

In an effort to elevate the overall standard of cricket in the state, the GCA has hired seasoned cricketer Pritam Gandhe to coach the Under-16 team, and has revamped its selection committees by appointing former Ranji players at both senior and junior levels. Dessai emphasized that club support is strong, administrative harmony has improved, and that the Ranji team’s promising performance is partly due to a strict no-interference policy, with coaches given full freedom in their choices. Financial transparency also remains a priority, with expert consultants and ex-cricketers guiding the Association’s decisions. Another major announcement is the return of the Goa Premier League after nearly nine years, signalling the GCA’s intent to create more competitive platforms for local players. With renewed energy, structural changes, and a clear vision, the GCA is driving Goa cricket toward a more stable, inclusive, and ambitious future.