Tag: Goa sports

Sports

Al Nassr Edge Past FC Goa 2-1 in AFC Champions League Thriller at Fatorda

allycaralgoa

Goa witnessed a spectacular night of football as Al Nassr edged past FC Goa 2-1 in a pulsating AFC Champions League Group D fixture at the Fatorda Stadium. The clash brought together two footballing cultures — the passion of Goan fans and the star power of the Saudi giants — resulting in a memorable showdown.

The match began with Al Nassr asserting dominance early on. Angelo Gabriel opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a precise finish that silenced the home crowd. Goa tried to find rhythm, but Al Nassr doubled their lead in the 27th minute through Haroune Camara, who capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot the ball past the goalkeeper.

Just when it seemed Al Nassr would cruise to victory, FC Goa responded with a moment of brilliance. In the 41st minute, Brison Fernandes showcased grit and composure, pulling one back for the home side and igniting hope among the thousands of fans in attendance.

The second half saw Goa pressing hard, pushing for an equalizer with relentless energy, while Al Nassr’s defense stood firm under pressure. Despite a few close chances and roars from the stands, the scoreline remained unchanged as the final whistle blew.

While Al Nassr walked away with the points, FC Goa earned admiration for their fighting spirit against one of Asia’s elite teams. The result places Al Nassr in a strong position in Group D, but Goa’s spirited display ensures they remain a side to watch in the continental competition.

The atmosphere at Fatorda was electric, reminding everyone why football holds a special place in Goan hearts — passion, pride, and perseverance. ⚽🔥

Sports

7th Dr. Filipe Pinto Memorial All-Goa Table Tennis Tournament Concludes at Panaji

allycaralgoa

The 7th Dr. Filipe Pinto Memorial All-Goa Table Tennis Tournament was successfully held at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Panaji, celebrating Goa’s top table tennis talent. Organized under GoaTTA by Kabir Pinto Makhija, the tournament drew players from across the state competing in Elite and Masters categories.

The event was graced by Chief Guest Swimmer Sanjana Prabhugaonker and Guest of Honour Footballer Sahil Tavora, highlighting Goa’s sporting diversity and excellence. Felicitations were also awarded to notable athletes Johnny Dsouza for bodybuilding achievements and Dinesh Heda for running accomplishments.

Champions:

  • Elite Category: Amitav & Anup
  • Masters Category: Sandeep & Staley

The tournament emphasized sportsmanship, skill, and community spirit, reinforcing the legacy of Dr. Filipe Pinto in promoting sports culture across Goa. The event concluded on a high note with applause and celebrations for all participants and winners.

— Reported by Allycaral | Connecting Global

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

Goa’s Archi Katkar Wins Silver in Triathlon at National Junior Athletics Championships 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa’s rising athletic star Archi Prithviraj Katkar has brought home a proud moment for the state by winning the Silver Medal in the Triathlon (Group A) category at the 40th National Junior Athletics Championships 2025, held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Competing in the Under-14 category, Archi represented RCC Fatorda and trained under the expert mentorship of coach Patrick Soares. Her performance was marked by determination, discipline, and athletic prowess, earning her a total of 2306 points — a feat that placed her second on the national podium.

A student of Vidya Vikas Academy, Margao, Archi was part of a 13-member Goan contingent that competed across various age groups at the national championship. Her achievement not only brings individual recognition but also highlights the growing success of grassroots sports training and development in Goa.

This Silver Medal reflects the growing presence of Goan athletes at the national level, and Archi’s success serves as a motivation for aspiring young athletes across the state. Her journey from local tracks to a national stage is a testament to consistent hard work, community support, and focused coaching.

As Goa continues to invest in youth sports infrastructure and mentorship, stories like Archi’s reinforce the state’s potential to shine on the national and international stage. With continued dedication and encouragement, Archi Katkar is certainly a name to watch in Indian athletics.

Sports

Lloyd Fernandes from Goa Selected for ITTF Asian Para Championships 2025 in Beijing

Tanisha Cardozo

Lloyd Fernandes, a para table tennis athlete from Taleigao, Goa, has been selected to represent India at the upcoming ITTF Asian Para Championships 2025, to be held in Beijing from October 13 to 19. Currently ranked No. 1 in India in the Class 2 para table tennis category, Lloyd has proudly represented India twice this year at prestigious international events.

He competed at the ITTF World Para Challenger in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, on July 2, 2025, and at the ITTF Al-Watani Para Championships 2023 in Amman, Jordan. Lloyd has also earned several national accolades, including gold medals at the Para Table Tennis National Championships and Ranking Championships held in Baroda (March 2025), Indore (March 2024), Ahmedabad (July 2023), and the Khelo India Para Games in Delhi (December 2023). His earlier achievements include silver medals at the National Para Table Tennis Championships in Indore in 2022 and 2023, and a bronze medal at the Purple Fest All India Para TT Open Championship held in Goa in January 2023.

Coached by Selwyn Godinho and supported steadfastly by his wife Stephanie da Costa, Lloyd’s commitment and achievements continue to inspire many across India. The Disability Rights Association of Goa has congratulated him on his selection and urged the Honorable Chief Minister to expedite his pending Group A government post application under the Sports Category, which has been awaiting approval for two months.

Lloyd Fernandes’ journey is a testament to perseverance, talent, and dedication, marking a significant milestone for para sports in Goa and India. His participation in the Asian Para Championships is expected to boost the visibility and support for para athletes nationwide.