Tag: Goa Sports News

Sports

International Master Nitish Belurkar Clinches Durga Motors Rapid Chess Tournament 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Nitish Belurkar emerged victorious at the Durga Motors Rapid Rated Chess Tournament–2026, organised by the Rotary Club of Porvorim at Dr KB Hedgewar High School in Bambolim. The two-day event concluded on Sunday with participation from 260 players, making it one of the largest rapid-rated chess tournaments held in Goa.

Belurkar delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 8.5 points across nine rounds and remaining undefeated throughout the tournament. His consistent play secured him the overall championship title.

The second position was claimed by Niraj Saripalli, who also scored 8 points but finished ahead on superior tie-break scores. Ritviz Parab secured the third position with 8 points.

The annual tournament was organised in association with the Tiswadi Taluka Chess Association and the Goa Chess Association. A total cash prize pool of ₹2.5 lakh was distributed across open and age-group categories.

In addition to the main prizes, winners were recognised in Under-7, Under-9, Under-11, Under-13, and Under-15 categories for both boys and girls. Veteran players aged above 45 years were also felicitated. To encourage emerging talent, cash prizes were awarded to the top five unrated players.

The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Prateek Sapra, owner of Durga Motors and title sponsor, Dr Pramod Dubale, co-sponsor, Harsh Thakkar, President of Rotary Club of Porvorim, and Ashesh Keni, Secretary of Goa State Chess Association. The tournament proceedings were conducted by Chief Arbiter Umesh Naik.

Speaking at the event, Harsh Thakkar stated that the Rotary Club of Porvorim continues to organise the tournament annually with the objective of promoting chess across Goa and nurturing young talent in the sport.

With increasing participation numbers each year, the tournament reflects the growing popularity of chess in Goa and the strengthening of the state’s competitive chess ecosystem.

Sports

Six Xavierites Shine as Goa University Women’s Football Team Secures Podium Finish at West Zone Championship

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Six Xavierites have brought pride to their institution as members of the Goa University Women’s Football Team, which secured third place at the West Zone Inter University Football Championship held in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
Representing St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa  in the university squad were:


1. Elena Pereira (SYBCOM)
2. Simran Narvekar (TYBCOM)
3. Saniya Pednekar (TYBA)
4. Geuel D’Souza (FYBCOM)
5. Vidhita Gadekar (FYBCOM)
6. Tanvi Parulekar (TYBCOM)

Adding to the pride, Worrel D’Souza, Assistant Professor in the Department of BCA at St. Xavier’s College, served as the Assistant Coach and Goalkeeping Coach for the Goa University team, playing a crucial role in the squad’s successful campaign.

The achievement highlights the growing strength of women’s football in Goa and reflects the dedication, teamwork, and sporting excellence of these young athletes on the inter-university stage.

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

Dempo Challengers Defeat CD Fountainhead by Six Wickets: GSB Unity Cup 3.0

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Panaji: Dempo Challengers registered a commanding six-wicket win over CD Fountainhead in the GSB Unity Cup 3.0 cricket tournament organised by the Goa GSB Sports and Charitable Trust. The match was played under lights at the MCC ground in Margao on Wednesday.


After winning the toss, Dempo Challengers elected to bowl first. Skipper Aditya Angle led from the front with an impressive spell, claiming 4 wickets for 27 runs in his four overs. He was well supported by Shridhar Keni, who picked up 3 wickets for 25 runs, while Tunish Sawkar chipped in with one wicket.

For CD Fountainhead, captain Pranav Biche fought a lone battle, scoring a brisk 53 off 29 balls, including five boundaries and four sixes. Anish Prabhudesai added 20 runs, but the rest of the batting line-up failed to build partnerships as CD Fountainhead were bowled out for 136 in 19.3 overs.

Chasing 137, Dempo Challengers made light work of the target. Sumiran Amonkar and Tunish Sawkar struck impressive half-centuries and stitched together a crucial 78-run partnership for the second wicket. Amonkar smashed 51 off 30 balls with nine fours, while Sawkar scored 50 off 29 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes. Dempo reached 139 for 4 in just 13.5 overs to seal the win with 37 balls remaining.

For CD Fountainhead, Vikrant Prabhu and Niraj Wagle picked up a wicket each.

Aditya Angle was presented with the Desserts N More ‘Man of the Match’ award, while Tunish Sawkar received the Kamat Realty ‘Hero of the Match’ award from Amit Kamat and Vikram Gaitonde.

Brief Scores
CD Fountainhead 136 all out in 19.3 overs
(Pranav Biche 53, Anish Prabhudesai 20, Vikrant Prabhu 17, Extras 20; Aditya Angle 4/27, Shridhar Keni 3/25, Tunish Sawkar 1/40)

Lost to
Dempo Challengers 139/4 in 13.5 overs
(Sumiran Amonkar 51, Tunish Sawkar 50, Samar Dubhashi 12, Extras 9; Vikrant Prabhu 1/37, Niraj Wagle 1/10)

Sports

Rising Stars of Ponda Register Convincing 39-Run Win in GSB Unity Cup 3.0

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Margao: Rising Stars of Ponda recorded a commanding 39-run victory over Sinq Rangers in the GSB Unity Cup 3.0 cricket tournament organised by Goa GSB Sports & Charitable Trust. The floodlit match was played at the MCC Ground in Margao on Thursday.


Batting first after being invited to take strike, Rising Stars posted 151 all out in 19.5 overs. Gaurish Shenvi Lotlikar led the charge with a fluent 51, while Sanat Mhapne contributed 28 runs. Nandan Acharya added 20 and Ved Mahambre chipped in with 18.

For Sinq Rangers, Nikhil Virginkar delivered an impressive spell, claiming 4 wickets for 22 runs. Arin Angle and Sanat Kamat picked up two wickets each, while Sairaj Dhond claimed one.

Chasing 152 for victory, Sinq Rangers suffered an early collapse and were reduced to 21 for 6. The innings slipped further to 44 for 8 following the dismissals of Sudhir Kenkre and Nikhil Virginkar (14).

Coming in at number nine, Mehank Dharwadkar mounted a brave fightback with a quickfire 50 off 33 balls, including two fours and two sixes. However, he lacked support from the other end as Sinq Rangers were bowled out for 112 in 17.1 overs.

With the ball, Nandan Acharya starred for Rising Stars, taking 4 wickets for 28 runs, while Sanat Mhapne claimed 3 wickets for 14 runs to seal the win.

Social worker and cricket enthusiast Balkrishna Hodarkar, in the presence of Gurudatt Angle, presented the Man of the Match award to Sanat Mhapne and the Hero of the Match award to Nandan Acharya.

Brief Scores
Rising Stars of Ponda – 151 all out in 19.5 overs
(Gaurish Shenvi Lotlikar 51, Sanat Mhapne 28, Nandan Acharya 20, Ved Mahambre 18; Nikhil Virginkar 4/22, Arin Angle 2/21, Sanat Kamat 2/25, Sairaj Dhond 1/13)

Sinq Rangers – 112 all out in 17.1 overs
(Mehank Dharwadkar 50, Arin Angle 16, Nikhil Virginkar 14; Nandan Acharya 4/28, Sanat Mhapne 3/14)