Tag: Goa Sports News

Sports

SFA & GFDC Partner to Boost U-12 Girls’ Football in Goa

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Mayem, Goa: Sesa Football Academy (SFA), in partnership with the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC), inaugurated the Sesa–GFDC Under-12 Girls’ Football Tournament at Mayem Ground, marking a significant step in strengthening grassroots football for young girls in the state.


The tournament, which commenced on January 29, 2026, has brought together over 300 young girls representing teams from across North and South Goa. It stands as one of the largest structured grassroots initiatives dedicated exclusively to girls’ football in Goa.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Premendra Shet, MLA for Maem Constituency, as Chief Guest, along with Glenn Ticlo, Chairman, GFDC; Fransquinha Oliveira, Member Secretary, GFDC; Kunda Vishnu Mandrekar, ZP Member;  Vishant Pednekar, Sarpanch, V.P Maem; Seema Sanjay Arondekar, Panch Member, V.P Maem;  Nitin Gaddi, Council Member, GFDC; and executives from Vedanta Sesa Goa.

Addressing the gathering, Premendra Shet emphasised the importance of balancing academics and sports in a child’s holistic development. He commended SFA and GFDC for creating a structured platform that enables young girls to pursue sporting excellence alongside their education.

The participating teams have been divided into four zones.

Zone 1 (North): Arambol, Pernem, Mandrem, Tuem, Aldona, Poira

Zone 2 (North): Mayem, Sanquelim, Zarme, Valpoi, Savoiverem, Dona Paula

Zone 3 (South): Dabal, Cortalim, Sao Jose De Areal, Navelim, Seraulim

Zone 4 (South): Quepem, Uguem, Ambelim, Devabhag

Glenn Ticlo, Chairman, GFDC, reiterated the council’s commitment to strengthening grassroots football and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to raise the standard of the sport in the state. He acknowledged the support of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, and Ramesh Tawadkar, Minister for Sports, in promoting football development.

Speaking on behalf of Vedanta Sesa Goa, Leena Verenkar, Head – CSR & SCDF, stated that sports serve as a powerful enabler of social progress and individual transformation. She noted that the tournament not only provides competitive exposure but also promotes fitness and strengthens women’s football in Goa.

Member Secretary Fransquinha Oliveira described grassroots football as the backbone of Goan football and thanked Vedanta Sesa Goa and stakeholders for their continued support.

Hosting the event was a matter of pride for the Maem panchayat, said Sarpanch Vishant Pednekar, who appreciated the organisers for promoting structured sporting engagement for young girls.

Sesa Football Academy, with over 26 years of contribution to Goan football, has produced more than 230 footballers through its residential programme, including 14 players who have represented India internationally. Through its various initiatives, over 8,000 aspiring footballers have been provided platforms to showcase their talent.

The Sesa–GFDC U-12 Girls’ Tournament reflects a growing commitment to empowering young girls in sports and strengthening the future of women’s football in Goa.

Sports

Priority Titans, Sherwin Shaw Falcons Register Convincing Wins in PGML 5.0

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

The PGML 5.0 League matches played at the Panjim Gymkhana ground on Saturday delivered a mix of closely contested and one-sided encounters, keeping cricket fans engaged throughout the day.


In the morning fixture, Priority Titans edged past Manas Mavericks by three wickets in a thrilling contest. Opting to bat first, Manas Mavericks put up a competitive total of 154 for six in their 20 overs. Avishkar Mone led the charge with an aggressive 44, supported by Vijay Nagarajan’s 34 and an unbeaten 19 from Pranav Biche. For the Titans, Kiran Shirwaikar spearheaded the bowling attack with two wickets, applying pressure through disciplined spells.

In reply, Priority Titans recovered from an early wobble through a composed innings from Heramb Shankar Parab, who top-scored with a match-winning 54. Valuable contributions from Kiran Shirwaikar (23), Atharva (22) and Akshay Badami (21) ensured the chase stayed on track. The Titans reached the target in 18.4 overs, finishing at 155 for seven. Despite a standout bowling effort from Om Fadte, who claimed four wickets for 28 runs, Parab was named Player of the Match for his decisive knock.

The afternoon match saw Sherwin Shaw Falcons produce a dominant all-round performance against RC Goa. Batting first, RC Goa struggled to build momentum and were restricted to 125 for nine in their 20 overs. Aryan Mashelkar (38) and Paras Naik (34) offered some resistance, but consistent strikes from the Falcons’ bowlers kept the scoring in check. Sazu Naik led the attack with three wickets, while Tunish Sawkar and Naresh Parsekar chipped in with two wickets each.

Chasing a modest target, Sherwin Shaw Falcons made light work of the task. Prajyot Rivonker scored a fluent 40, Gourav Desai added 37, and Tunish Sawkar remained unbeaten on 31 as the Falcons completed the chase in just 11.1 overs. Sawkar’s all-round contribution earned him the Player of the Match award.

The results further intensified competition in the PGML 5.0 League, with teams showcasing both resilience and dominance as the tournament progresses.

Sports

QF, SF Line-ups Take Shape Across Categories at Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026

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Written by Alisha Fernandes || Allycaral

Panaji, January 2026: Higher-round action gathered momentum at the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 on Thursday, with several quarter-final and semi-final line-ups taking shape across multiple categories at the Panjim Gymkhana and Gaspar Dias courts.

In the men’s singles quarter-finals, Ashwin Narsinghani produced a composed performance to defeat Prathamesh Patil 4–0, 4–2, while Parth Deorukhakar overcame Maaz Khan 4–2, 4–2 to book his spot in the semi-finals. Eshaan Khadeer also advanced after getting the better of Nishad Shevde.

Men’s doubles action saw Maaz Khan and Arnav Bansode progress with a win over Praneeth V and Suraj, while Paul Singh and Nilesh defeated Atharv Paranjpe and Sonu Todu to move into the next round. At the Gymkhana courts, the pairing of Ashwin Narsinghani and Prathamesh Patil stormed into the semi-finals with a dominant 6–0 victory over Vihaan and Devaansh.

In the ladies’ singles category, Nidi secured her place in the final after defeating Trisha in the semi-final encounter.

Earlier-round men’s singles matches witnessed Maaz Khan beating Paul Singh 6–2, while Eshaan Khadeer registered a 6–2 win over Harren A.

The under-16 boys’ category produced a flurry of action-packed encounters. Priyank defeated Aymer 6–1, Fatha Ali beat Arsh 6–2 and later overcame Arhan 6–1, Arjun defeated Ivan 6–2, and Ethan edged past Priyank 6–4. Arav registered back-to-back wins against Alec (6–1) and Adianta (6–0), while Adianta earlier defeated Arjun 6–1. At the Gymkhana courts, Ayush beat Satya 6–3, Rihan defeated Vihaan 6–1, Shaurya blanked Aayush 6–0, and Athrva edged past Devaash 7–5.

In the girls’ under-16 category, Mikayla defeated Kiara 6–1, Urvi beat Devyani 6–2, Ammiel overcame Chantelle 6–2, Gargi blanked Mikayla 6–0, Bhavya defeated Urvi 6–1, Anindita beat Eaka 6–0, Kimberly defeated Anindita 6–1, and Tvisha registered a commanding 6–0 win over Ammiel.

Mixed doubles matches saw Nishi and Dhruv beat Archana and Debayan 6–0, Unnathi and Rushikesh defeat Atika and Prajat 6–2, Poojal and Pankaj blank Anita and Shivam 6–0, Deeksha and Paul defeat Aastha and Nitye 6–0, Tomoyo and Arnav edge past Bhargavi and Sonu 6–3, and Raisa and Neale beat Natalia and Suraj 6–0.

In the ladies’ doubles category, Tomoyo and Aastha defeated Renee and Devyani 6–1, Sonicka and Nidi blanked Vlada and Yuliia 6–0, Tatiana and Patricia edged past Tejjus and Sofia 7–5, while Tvisha and Bhavya beat Poojal and Raisa 6–4.

Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group, in association with the Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA), the tournament has recorded a massive participation of 555 entries across the Masters and Open segments, making it one of the largest tennis events in the state.

Sports

Baale Tigers, Sherwin Shaw Falcons Register Convincing Wins in PGML 5.0

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Written by Alisha Fernandes || Allycaral

Panaji: Baale Tigers and Sherwin Shaw Falcons continued their strong run in the ongoing PGML 5.0 tournament with impressive victories in their respective league encounters at the Panjim Gymkhana ground.

In the morning match, Priority Titans won the toss and opted to bat first but were restricted to 138 for 8 in their 20 overs by a disciplined Baale Tigers bowling unit. Atharva Kumar fought hard with a well-made 53, supported by Yeshwant Barde’s 24. However, the Titans struggled to build momentum as Harshal Shah and Prasad Patil wreaked havoc, claiming three wickets each to keep the scoring in check.

In reply, Baale Tigers displayed calm and confidence during the chase. Openers Sandip Dahad (49) and Dishan Pujari (34) laid a solid foundation. The innings was then expertly steered home by Prasad Patil (21 not out) and Rajaram Kundaikar (28 not out), as Baale Tigers reached the target in 19.2 overs to seal a comfortable six-wicket victory.

The afternoon fixture saw Sun Estate Warriors post a competitive 155 for 8 after electing to bat first. Harsh Jethaji top-scored with 32, while Rohit Rane added 31. Sherwin Shaw Falcons’ bowlers kept the pressure on throughout, with Tunish Sawkar claiming three wickets and Iftikhar Agha picking up two crucial scalps.

Chasing the target, Sherwin Shaw Falcons came out with intent. Prajyot Rivonker anchored the innings with a solid 41, while Gourav Desai chipped in with a brisk 34. The turning point came in the form of Tunish Sawkar’s explosive cameo of 40 off just 16 balls, which powered the Falcons to 156 for 5 in just 16.4 overs. His all-round brilliance earned him the Player of the Match award as Sherwin Shaw Falcons cruised to a five-wicket win.

With these victories, both Baale Tigers and Sherwin Shaw Falcons strengthened their positions on the PGML 5.0 points table, setting up an exciting phase ahead in the tournament.

Sports

Aryan Narvekar Named Captain of Goa U-23 Team for Col C.K. Nayudu Trophy Clash Against Punjab

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

PANAJI: Aryan Narvekar has been appointed captain of the Goa Under-23 men’s team for their forthcoming Col C.K. Nayudu Trophy match against Punjab, to be played at the GCA Ground, Sanguem, from January 30 to February 2, 2026.

The four-day Elite Group fixture will see Goa face a strong Punjab side on home turf, with the team aiming to make the most of familiar conditions. The selectors have announced a well-balanced squad that blends experienced performers with promising young talent, reflecting Goa’s intent to put up a competitive showing in the prestigious domestic tournament.

The Col C.K. Nayudu Trophy serves as an important platform for emerging cricketers across the country, offering young players valuable exposure in red-ball cricket. Goa will look to build momentum and consistency as the season progresses.

Goa U-23 Squad for Col C.K. Nayudu Trophy
Goa vs Punjab

Aryan Narvekar (Captain), Bansil Kumar Pandya, Aman Dhooper, Jeevan Kumar Chittem, Kaushal Hattangadi, Samrth Rane, Anuj Yadav, Deep Kaswankar, Manish Kakode, Venkata Chigurupati, Mihir Kudalkar, Malhar Naik, Fardeen Khan, Nityay Kunkolinkar, Rijul Pathak, Mihir Gawade, Shardul Shet.

The Goa Cricket Association has extended its best wishes to the team for the upcoming encounter.