Tag: Goa Sports News

Sports

Gauri Warriors Clinch Imperial T20 League 2025 Crown

allycaralgoa

Panaji:
V Strikers Sports Club successfully organised the Imperial T20 League 2025, a leather-ball cricket tournament held from November 16 to December 21 at the Shri Shantadurga Devasthan ground, opposite Government College, Khandola. The tournament brought together competitive club sides from across Goa, highlighting the depth of talent at the grassroots level.

The tournament concluded in the presence of prominent dignitaries including Goa Cricket Association President Shri Mahesh Dessai, GCA Vice President Shri Paresh Phadte, Betki-Khandola Sarpanch Shri Dilip Naik, and V Strikers Sports Club President Shri Praviraj Haldankar. Shri Mahesh Dessai was felicitated for his consistent efforts and encouragement towards the development of cricket across Goa, particularly at the club and grassroots level.

In a thrilling final, Gauri Warriors emerged champions after defeating Shree Mahalasa Sanskrutik Mandal. Winning the toss, Gauri Warriors elected to bat first and posted a competitive total of 139 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs. Prajesh Parab anchored the innings with a steady 41 off 39 balls, while Ajay Phadte (24), Vishal Vernekar (18), and Hiru Naik (16) provided valuable support. For Shree Mahalasa, Ramanand Satarkar impressed with figures of 3 for 30, while Gauresh Sawant chipped in with 2 for 17.

Chasing 140, Shree Mahalasa Sanskrutik Mandal were bundled out for 101 in 17.5 overs, despite a fighting knock of 36 off 28 balls by Mohit Gaonkar. The highlight of the final was an extraordinary bowling performance by Avnish Gaonkar, who claimed 6 wickets for just 8 runs in 3.1 overs, dismantling the opposition batting line-up. He received excellent support from Utkarsh Gaonkar, who picked up 3 for 25.

Club De Sateri and Green Strikers finished as the semi-finalists of the tournament.

Individual Awards:

  • Player of the Final: Avnish Gaonkar
  • Player of the Tournament: Sanket Jotkar
  • Best Batsman: Chetan Bhosle
  • Best Bowler: Ramanand Satarkar
  • Best Fielder: Ramanand Satarkar
  • Emerging Player: Tanmay Talekar

The prize distribution ceremony was smoothly conducted by Sutrasanchalak Chetan Palkar. The organisers thanked the Goa Cricket Association, participating teams, officials, and supporters for their cooperation and reiterated their commitment to nurturing cricket at the grassroots level in Goa.

Sports

AIFF Super Cup 2025: FC Goa Face Mumbai City FC in Blockbuster Semifinal at Fatorda

allycaralgoa

Fatorda, December 3, 2025: The reigning AIFF Super Cup champions FC Goa are set to light up the Fatorda Stadium once again as they prepare for a much-awaited semifinal showdown against arch-rivals Mumbai City FC on Thursday, December 4, at 8:00 PM IST.

This semifinal arrives at a crucial moment for FC Goa, who have endured one of the most demanding stretches of competitive football among all ISL clubs. While Indian football has seen an extended break in domestic action, the Gaurs have remained in top-flight rhythm. Over the last three months, FC Goa have played an AFC Champions League Two qualifier against Al Seeb (Oman), three Super Cup group-stage matches, and five AFC Champions League Two fixtures against top clubs from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Tajikistan.

With all their Asian away fixtures completed, the champions return home physically sharp, mentally seasoned, and fully in rhythm—an advantage that could prove decisive in a knockout fixture of this magnitude.

Speaking about the team’s momentum, Head Coach Manolo Marquez said:
“I would prefer to be in FC Goa’s position with more training and more games. Playing in the AFC Champions League Two against strong teams helps a lot. But again, this is a knockout match—90 or 120 minutes—anything can happen.”

Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC enter the semifinal after nearly a month without competitive action. Despite this, Marquez emphasized that they remain one of the most consistent and formidable sides in Indian football:
“They are a quality team with strong foreigners, an experienced coach, and several Indian national team players.”

FC Goa head into the semifinals after a strong group-stage campaign, finishing top of their group despite a narrow loss to NorthEast United in a rotated final match. With the semifinal at hand, the Gaurs are expected to return to a more settled starting XI, restoring full strength as they push to defend their crown.

Young defender Ronney Wilson, who has impressed in both AFC Champions League and Super Cup fixtures, spoke about the team’s unity and growth:
“Playing in the Champions League has helped all of us improve. The bond in the dressing room is strong thanks to all these games. We’re ready for the next challenge.”

This matchup also carries emotional weight. Their last meeting in February 2025 saw FC Goa deliver one of their most dominant wins—a 1–3 victory in Mumbai, highlighted by a brace from former fan-favourite Iker Guarrotxena and a composed goal from Borja Herrera. That performance dismantled the hosts and remains a proud memory for the Gaurs.

Now, under the floodlights of Fatorda, the champions return home with rhythm, confidence, and the unwavering support of the Gaurs faithful as they prepare for a high-stakes semifinal filled with intensity, passion, and drama.

Sports

9-Year-Old Goan Prodigy Amaira Dhumatker Wins Double Gold at Open Junior Badminton Tournament 🏸👑

allycaralgoa

Bengaluru | October 26, 2025: Goa’s young badminton star Amaira Dhumatker, just 9 years old, showcased exceptional talent and composure as she captured two gold medals — in the Under-11 and Under-13 Girls Singles categories — at the MACHAXI Open Junior Badminton Tournament, hosted at Play9 Academy, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

The tournament, organized on October 26, 2025, saw participation from some of the best young talents across India. Competing against older and more experienced players, Amaira impressed with her agility, focus, and powerful gameplay, earning admiration from coaches and spectators alike.

Her journey through the tournament was marked by consecutive victories, displaying not only her athletic skills but also a maturity beyond her years. The double crown win cements her reputation as one of Goa’s most promising young athletes in badminton.

Presented by MACHAXI, the event aimed to promote grassroots sports and provide a platform for emerging players to compete at a national level.

Speaking after her win, Amaira expressed joy and gratitude for her coaches, family, and supporters who have encouraged her to chase her dreams.

This victory adds to Goa’s growing presence on India’s sports map, inspiring other young athletes to dream big and work hard.

🎖️ Tournament: MACHAXI Open Junior Badminton Tournament
📍 Venue: Play9 Academy, Bengaluru, Karnataka
🏅 Titles: U-11 Girls Singles Gold, U-13 Girls Singles Gold
📅 Date: 26 October 2025

Stay tuned to allycaral.com for more stories celebrating Goa’s young achievers in sports and beyond.

🔗 #Allycaral – Connecting Global

Sports

4th Vedanta Youth Cup Kicks Off in Goa with Top U-16 Talent from Across India

Tanisha Cardozo

The 4th edition of the Vedanta U-16 Youth Cup officially kicked off on 21st October 2025 in Goa, welcoming elite youth football teams from across India. Organised by the Sesa Football Academy (SFA), the tournament represents a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing young footballing talent at the grassroots level.

This year’s edition features eight high-performing teams: AIFF Talent Academy, Cortalim Villagers, Bengaluru FC, Dempo SC, Muthoot FA, Sesa FA, FC Goa, and Belgaum United Football Academy. These teams will compete across three venues — SFA’s Sirsaim Campus, Vagator Ground, and FC Goa Guirim Ground — as they battle it out for the prestigious title.

The tournament follows a pool format with two groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals, set for 27th October at SFA Sirsaim, with the grand finale scheduled for 29th October at Duler Ground. Defending champions Muthoot Football Academy are back in the fray and are expected to present a strong challenge.

The opening day saw thrilling action as AIFF Talent Academy dominated Dempo SC with a commanding 4-1 win. Bengaluru FC launched their campaign with an emphatic 9-0 victory over Cortalim Villagers. In another close match, Sesa FA edged past Belgaum United 2-1. The result of the Muthoot FA vs FC Goa clash was pending at the time of publication.

As Indian football continues to demand more robust player pipelines and structured developmental competitions, the Vedanta U-16 Youth Cup serves as a vital cog in this larger ecosystem. Supported by the Goa Football Association (GFA) and Goa Football Development Council (GFDC), the tournament aligns with key priorities such as grassroots scouting, community participation, and long-term fan engagement.

The cup also holds special significance for Sesa Football Academy, which has been investing in local talent since 1999. Leena Verenkar, Head of SCDF & CSR at Sesa Goa, emphasized that the tournament reflects the academy’s commitment to developing players from Goa’s rural and mining belts. “SFA has since 1999 been focussing on nurturing homegrown talent from the rural and mining belts of Goa. It has been a vessel for developing and nurturing the rich legacy of Goan and National football.”

Technical Director of SFA, Gavin Araujo, highlighted the tournament’s value as a high-stakes developmental opportunity for young players. “It’s a superb platform that provides the right impetus to the young footballers and gives them the much-needed edge in terms of honing skills and sharpening key attributes including mental robustness.”

The tournament also marks another successful step for SFA as a dependable organiser of national-level competitions. After hosting I-League 3 and IWL 2 matches, the academy continues to grow as a hub of football excellence, helping pave the way for India’s next generation of players. The Vedanta U-16 Youth Cup is not just a competition — it’s a launchpad for dreams.

Sports

Goa’s Sanjana Prabhugaonkar Wins Silver at 78th National Aquatic Championships in Odisha

allycaralgoa

Bhubaneshwar, Odisha | 27 June 2025 – Goa’s rising swimming star, Miss Sanjana Prabhugaonkar, has once again made the state proud by winning a silver medal at the 78th Senior National Aquatic Championships 2025 held at the prestigious Aquatic Complex, Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar.

Organized by the Odisha State Swimming Association under the aegis of the Swimming Federation of India, the national-level event brought together the country’s top swimmers for four days of intense competition.

Silver for Goa in 50 Metres Backstroke

Sanjana clinched the silver medal in the highly competitive 50 Metres Backstroke event with an impressive timing of 30.68 seconds. She stood on the podium alongside some of India’s best:

  • 🥇 Gold: Vihita Nayana Loganathan (Karnataka) – 29.99 seconds
  • 🥈 Silver: Sanjana Prabhugaonkar (Goa) – 30.68 seconds
  • 🥉 Bronze: Soubrity Mondal (West Bengal) – 30.87 seconds

This performance highlights Sanjana’s consistency and growth as a competitive swimmer on the national stage.

A Proud Moment for Goa

Sanjana’s medal is not just a personal victory but a proud moment for Goan sports, especially in the field of aquatics, where young athletes from the state continue to shine despite limited infrastructure and training resources. Her success serves as an inspiration for aspiring swimmers in Goa and across India.

With her dedication, discipline, and determination, Sanjana has already built a reputation as one of Goa’s top swimming talents and continues to be a role model for youth in sports.