Tag: Disability Sports

Sports

Goa Clinches CM’s Trophy at Odisha National Wheelchair Cricket Championship 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa’s wheelchair cricket team has marked a historic milestone by winning the CM’s Trophy at the Odisha National Wheelchair Cricket Championship 2025, a celebrated tournament that took place from 29th November to 3rd December.

The championship featured six teams representing Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Maharashtra, showcasing the growing strength and visibility of wheelchair cricket across India. In a highly anticipated final clash against Chhattisgarh, Goa delivered a remarkable performance that kept spectators on edge until the very end.

The highlight of the match was an extraordinary innings by Niklesh Pednekar, who scored an unbeaten 65 runs. His confident stroke play and composure under pressure powered Goa to a memorable victory and secured their place at the top of the tournament.

This triumph stands as a proud moment not only for Goa but for the broader landscape of inclusive sports. Wheelchair cricket in India continues to gain momentum, inspiring athletes and communities alike.

Goa’s win and Pednekar’s standout performance reinforce the immense talent and dedication within the sport, proving once again that determination and teamwork can break barriers and create history.

Sports

Nishad Kumar Creates History with First World Para Athletics Championships Gold in High Jump

Tanisha Cardozo

In a defining moment for Indian para-sports, Nishad Kumar clinched his maiden gold medal at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in New Delhi, winning the high jump T47 category. Known for his consistent top-tier performances, Nishad had long chased the top spot, finishing as runner-up at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics and the last two World Championships. But on Friday, his dream turned into reality.

Looking calm and focused throughout, Nishad cleared all pre-set marks on his very first attempts. Once it was confirmed that he had secured gold, Nishad boldly went for a world record attempt at 2.18 meters. While he fell short of setting the record, the title was already his — a historic win for both him and the nation.

This victory was especially significant as he beat American high jumper Roderick Townsend, a three-time world and Paralympic champion. Townsend managed only one successful jump at 2.03m, finishing behind Turkey’s Abdullah Ilgaz, who took silver.

Reflecting on the moment, Nishad shared: “I have been waiting for this day for a year. I have been working very hard for this day. Today is the day. I have given my best. It’s God’s will. No one can stop me.” He added, “I already have silver medals. I have kept them on my rack. I haven’t seen them since. I had written in my diary that I will do it today.”

Nishad also called it a special personal milestone to beat Townsend for the first time: “It was a big achievement for me. I beat him for the first time in my life. I saw him for the first time in Rio 2016.”

Friday was doubly special for India as Simran Sharma also clinched her first World Championships gold in the T12 100m sprint. Clocking a personal best of 11.95 seconds, Simran added to her growing legacy, having won gold in the 200m at the last edition and a bronze at the 2024 Paralympics.

Together, Nishad and Simran’s victories mark a high point in India’s para-athletics journey, inspiring the next generation of athletes with resilience, skill, and a refusal to settle for anything less than gold.

Social

International Purple Fest 2025: Ponda to Host Blind & Wheelchair Cricket on Sept 29; Minister Ravi Naik Invited to Inaugurate

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo, Team Allycaral

Blind & Wheelchair Cricket to Shine at Purple Fest 2025 in Goa

Goa’s landmark celebration of inclusivity, International Purple Fest 2025, will witness a unique and inspiring sporting event – Blind & Wheelchair Cricket – to be held on 29th September 2025 at the Ponda Sports Complex.

Dr. Ketan Bhatikar, Sports Director of Purple Fest, officially extended an invitation to Minister Ravi Naik, who will inaugurate the match. The event will also see the presence of Rajiv Sahakari, further underscoring the commitment to promoting inclusivity in sports.

Purple Fest has always championed accessibility and empowerment, and this cricket event is no exception. Bringing together differently-abled athletes, the Blind & Wheelchair Cricket matches are a powerful testament to determination, talent, and the unifying spirit of sports.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Bhatikar emphasized how sports can break barriers and create new opportunities for all, while Minister Ravi Naik’s participation highlights the government’s support in fostering an inclusive society.

With such events, Purple Fest 2025 continues to reinforce its mission of creating a more accessible and equitable world, where everyone, regardless of ability, has the chance to shine.

Sports

Goa State Chess Championship for Persons with Disabilities Sets the Stage for International Purple Fest 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In a powerful showcase of resilience, intellect, and inclusive spirit, the Goa State Chess Championship for Persons with Disabilities was held on September 21, 2025, at Hotel Menino, Ponda. The event served as an official prelude to the International Purple Fest – Goa 2025, setting the tone for a celebration of abilities, accessibility, and empowerment.

Organized through a collaborative effort between the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Office of the State Commissioner for PwDs, Goa Chess Association for PwDs, Bhatikar Charitable Trust, and the Goa Cricket Association, the championship welcomed participants from across the state in a spirit of friendly competition and community.

Participants displayed exceptional strategy and focus, reminding us all that chess is a game where mental prowess takes center stage, regardless of physical ability. The atmosphere was one of solidarity and support, filled with applause for every thoughtful move and every resilient spirit.

This event wasn’t just a competition—it was a movement. A reaffirmation that platforms like the Purple Fest are not just about showcasing talent but about creating systems of inclusion that allow every individual to shine.

As Goa prepares to host the much-anticipated International Purple Fest 2025, this championship stands as a testament to the state’s ongoing commitment to inclusion and equality in all spaces—including sports.

Sports

Goa’s Lloyd Fernandes Selected for ITTF Asian Para Championship After Double Gold Victory

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

For many, an accident might seem like the end of life. But for some, it becomes the beginning of a powerful new chapter. Lloyd Fernandes from Goa is one such person who turned tragedy into triumph. In 2016, Lloyd’s life changed forever after a devastating accident left him paralyzed. While most would struggle to cope, Lloyd found strength in an unexpected place—table tennis.

Determined not to let his condition define him, Lloyd picked up the sport after the accident. It started as a form of therapy and evolved into a full-fledged passion. With every swing of the paddle, he built confidence, strength, and purpose. He trained rigorously, competed fiercely, and steadily carved a name for himself in the world of Para Table Tennis.

His hard work paid off in March 2025 when he clinched two consecutive gold medals—first at the Para Table Tennis National Ranking Championship held from March 17–19, and then again at the Para Senior Table Tennis National Championship from March 21–23. Both prestigious events were hosted at the Sama Indoor Sports Complex in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Lloyd’s exceptional performance has now earned him a coveted spot in the ITTF Asian Para Championship, a major international tournament that gathers the best para-athletes from across the continent. His selection is not just a personal achievement, but also a proud moment for Goa and India.

Lloyd Fernandes’s journey from paralysis to the international stage is more than just a story of sports. It’s a powerful reminder that resilience, determination, and passion can overcome any obstacle. As he prepares to represent India at the ITTF Asian Para Championship, he carries with him the hopes of many and the undeniable spirit of a true champion.