Tag: GBA

Sports

9-Year-Old Amaira Dhumatker Shines at Goa Major Ranking Badminton Tournament

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa’s young badminton prodigy Amaira Dhumatker, just nine years of age, delivered a stellar performance at the All Goa Major Ranking Badminton Tournament organized by Sunlite Sports Club in collaboration with the Goa Badminton Association (GBA) and the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG). The tournament was held at the Campal Indoor Stadium on November 1st and 2nd, 2025, and brought together some of Goa’s best young badminton players.

Amaira impressed both spectators and officials with her exceptional agility, technique, and composure on court. She secured Gold in Under-11 Girls Singles, Silver in Under-13 Girls Singles, and Silver in Under-13 Girls Doubles, marking an incredible run across multiple age categories. Her all-round performance earned her the title of Outstanding Player of the Tournament, a recognition reserved for the most consistent and dominant competitor across events.

At only nine, Amaira continues to prove her potential as one of Goa’s most promising young athletes. Her achievements at this prestigious state-level ranking event highlight not only her talent but also her dedication and sportsmanship.

Organizers from Sunlite Sports Club, along with officials from GBA and SAG, lauded Amaira’s success and encouraged young players to follow her example of determination and discipline.

Amaira Dhumatker’s triumph at the tournament is yet another milestone in her budding badminton journey and a proud moment for Goa’s sporting community. With her continued hard work and passion, she is undoubtedly a name to watch in Indian badminton’s future.

Sports

Sonics U17 Basketball League 2025 Tips Off with Dominant Wins by Sunshine, Loyola, and Don Bosco Teams

Tanisha Cardozo

The Sonics U17 Basketball League 2025 tipped off with high-energy performances and enthusiastic participation at the Youth Hostel in Miramar, Goa. Organised by the Sonics Sports & Cultural Youth Club under the aegis of the Goa Basketball Association, the league aims to nurture grassroots talent and provide a competitive platform for youth basketball across the state during the Diwali vacation.

Opening day action featured five tightly-contested matches that highlighted both skill and sportsmanship. Don Bosco Fatorda (DBF) set the tone with a solid 28–15 victory over Navy Children’s School. Sean and Arjun led the scoring with 8 and 7 points respectively, ensuring a confident start for their team.

In what turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the day, Sunshine edged out Kamikaze 33–32 in a thrilling encounter. Afzal scored 12 points and Devyansh added 10, marking himself as one of the standout players of the day. Sunshine would go on to win their second game as well, comfortably defeating Brown Ballers 36–16. Devyansh once again dominated with 15 points, while Faaz contributed 5 points for the opposition.

Loyola delivered a commanding performance against Ponda, finishing the game 25–05. Conrad and Anurag were instrumental in securing the win, combining solid offense with effective teamwork. Don Bosco Panjim followed with a dominant win over Lourdes, closing the match at 50–17. Nathaniel and Tanish were the key scorers, with 10 and 8 points respectively, as Don Bosco Panjim showcased an aggressive and organized style of play.

The tournament was formally inaugurated by Sandeep Heble, Vice President of the Goa Basketball Association, who emphasized the importance of such leagues in building the next generation of athletes. He was joined by organising members Andriel Fernandes and Lambert Godinho, who reiterated the club’s commitment to promoting sports and youth engagement across Goa.

With a promising start and enthusiastic participation, the Sonics U17 Basketball League 2025 is set to deliver an exciting series of matchups and memorable moments. As the league continues, young athletes will have the opportunity to showcase their skills, build team spirit, and compete at a high level—all within the scenic and festive backdrop of Diwali in Goa.

Sports

Shuttlers Bring the Heat at Goa State Badminton Ranking Tournament 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa State Badminton Ranking Tournament 2025 concluded with a series of electrifying performances at the Indoor Stadium, Campal, Panaji. Organized by Panjim Badminton Club and Panaji Krida Sankul under the aegis of the Goa Badminton Association and in collaboration with the North Goa District Badminton Association and the Sports Authority of Goa, the tournament witnessed top-level badminton action in the U15 and U17 age groups.

Among the standout performers were Advait Balakrishnan, Ritika Chelluri, and Sparsh Kolwalkar, each of whom claimed double titles. In the fiercely contested singles events, Mohammed Umar Shaikh showcased his grit and resilience in the Boys U15 final, fighting back after a first-game loss to defeat Sparsh Kolwalkar 14-21, 21-13, 21-15. In the Girls U15 final, Anaya Kamat put in a dominant display against the third seed Pragya Audi to win 21-16, 21-17. Aarush Pawaskar, the top seed in Boys U17, delivered a clinical performance in the final, cruising past Devansh Sakpal 21-15, 21-10. Ritika Chelluri triumphed in a tough three-game Girls U17 final against Sufiya Shaikh with scores of 21-19, 9-21, 21-15.

Doubles action brought with it plenty of drama and thrilling finishes. In the Boys U15 doubles, Arnav Saraf and Sparsh Kolwalkar overpowered Atharv Sadaye and Shaan C K with a 21-12, 21-13 victory. Girls U15 doubles saw Avni Khyalia and Palak Ramnathkar defeat Aaryaa Metry and Anaya Kamat 21-19, 21-15. Sparsh returned to the court with Aaryaa Metry in the U15 mixed doubles final to secure a second title in a gripping three-game encounter against Arnav Saraf and Niharika Parwar, winning 9-21, 24-22, 21-17.

Advait Balakrishnan’s brilliance continued in the U17 category as he teamed up with Vansh Khedkar to beat Aarush Pawaskar and Owais Tahasildar in the Boys U17 doubles final, 16-21, 21-10, 21-13. Advait then partnered Ritika Chelluri in the mixed doubles final and defeated Vansh and Sufiya in another thrilling three-setter, 19-21, 21-10, 21-19. The Girls U17 doubles final brought the tournament to a dramatic close, with Shivanjali Thite and Sufiya Shaikh edging past Dimple Revankar and Ritika Chelluri 20-22, 21-16, 21-19.

The event not only highlighted the immense talent pool in Goa’s badminton scene but also reflected the dedication of organizers, associations, and coaching teams in fostering competitive spirit and excellence in youth sports.

Sports

Amaira Dhumatker Shines at State-Level Badminton Tournament with Double Podium Finish

allycaralgoa

Mapusa, July 20, 2025: In a remarkable display of grit and talent, 9-year-old Amaira Dhumatker emerged as one of the brightest stars at the All Goa State Major Badminton Ranking Tournament 2025, held from July 18–20 at Peddem, Mapusa. Organized by Mapusa Shuttlers in association with the Goa Badminton Association (GBA), the tournament saw top young talent from across Goa compete for state-level glory.

Amaira stood out as she clinched the Gold Medal in Under-13 Girls Doubles and followed it up with a Silver in Under-13 Girls Singles — a remarkable achievement for someone competing against older, higher-ranked players.

Her performance is a testament to the growing culture of sports excellence in Goa and serves as an inspiration for young athletes across the state. Amaira’s journey reflects dedication, training, and an unwavering passion for the sport.

As she continues to grow and take on greater challenges, all eyes will be on this young prodigy. Goa celebrates her success and looks forward to her future triumphs on bigger stages.