Tag: GCA

Sports

GCA Office Bearers Attend 21st Manorva Cup Final Prize Distribution in Chapora

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa Cricket Association President Mahesh Dessai and Secretary Tulsidas Shetye attended the prize distribution ceremony of the 21st All Goa Season Ball Cricket Tournament, popularly known as the Manorva Cup, organised by the Manorva Sports and Cultural Club at the Chapora Panchayat Ground. Their presence added significance to the concluding ceremony of one of Goa’s well-known local cricket tournaments.

Addressing the gathering, Mahesh Dessai, a former Ranji player, appreciated the efforts of the local MLA for initiating the development of a cricket ground in the area. He emphasised that proper infrastructure plays a vital role in strengthening cricket at the grassroots level and provides young players with the right environment to grow and excel. He also urged budding cricketers to remain disciplined, focused and committed to the sport.

Dessai highlighted the Goa Cricket Association’s ongoing initiatives to establish rural cricket centres across the state. These centres aim to identify talent from villages, nurture young players and offer them opportunities to progress to higher levels of competitive cricket.

GCA Secretary Tulsidas Shetye echoed similar sentiments and congratulated the organisers for successfully conducting the tournament. He noted that the Manorva Cup has consistently contributed to promoting cricket across Goa and encouraging participation at the community level.

In the final match, Mauli Sports Club, Nadora registered a dominant nine-wicket victory over Prestige 11. Batting first, Prestige 11 were bowled out for 136 runs in 19.3 overs. Mauli Sports Club chased the target comfortably, scoring 139 runs for the loss of just one wicket in 14.1 overs. Yogesh Kauthankar impressed with the ball for Mauli, claiming three wickets for 13 runs, while Sankalp Gawas remained unbeaten on 55 and Sachin Gawas scored an unbeaten 65 to seal a convincing win.

The successful conclusion of the 21st Manorva Cup once again underlined the importance of local tournaments in nurturing cricketing talent and sustaining the spirit of the game across Goa.

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

GCA Announces Cash Rewards Following Goa U-19’s Dominant Cooch Behar Wins

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

The Goa Cricket Association has announced special cash rewards for the Goa U-19 cricket team and its support staff following their commanding innings victory over Assam in the Cooch Behar Elite Cricket Tournament. The decision comes on the back of two consecutive innings wins, marking one of the most impressive starts by the state in recent years. GCA President Mahesh Dessai, along with the Managing Committee, confirmed that a cash prize of ₹1 lakh will be awarded to Yash Kasvankar for his extraordinary knock of 243 in the opening match against Chhattisgarh, a performance that not only set the foundation for the first innings victory of Goa’s campaign but also gave the team early momentum in the tournament.

In appreciation of consistent all-round displays, each Goa player will receive ₹50,000, while the support staff will be rewarded with ₹25,000 each for their instrumental role in preparing and backing the young squad. Against Assam, Goa’s bowlers delivered a ruthless performance, dismissing the opposition for just 75 runs in the first innings and enforcing the follow-on before bowling them out again for 86. The match wrapped up in two and a half days, giving Goa their second straight innings victory and earning them seven points, including a bonus. With 14 points from two matches, Goa now stands joint-second in Elite Group D alongside Bengal.

The victory was built on disciplined bowling and important contributions with the bat. Dishank Misquin scored a valuable 88 in Goa’s only innings, while Mihir Kudalkar produced remarkable figures of 3 for 0 in the first innings and 4 for 9 in the second. Samarth Rane, Chigurupati Venkata, Shiven Borkar and Yash Kasvankar also chipped in with key wickets to ensure a dominant finish. GCA President Mahesh Dessai expressed immense pride in the team’s performances, praising their discipline and determination and acknowledging the crucial role of the support staff. He highlighted that Yash’s 243 will remain a standout moment of the season but emphasized that the team’s collective spirit has been the true driving force behind their success. With back-to-back innings wins over Chhattisgarh and Assam, Goa heads into their next fixture against Uttar Pradesh with confidence and growing belief in their abilities as they continue their impressive run in the tournament.

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.