Tag: GoaEvents

Sports

Advocates Cricket League Auction Held; Legal Luminaries Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycarl Sports Desk

The seventh season of the Advocates Cricket League (ACL) began on a celebratory note with its player auction held in Porvorim on Saturday. The event brought together members of Goa’s legal fraternity for a day that blended sportsmanship, recognition, and camaraderie.

The occasion also saw senior members of the legal community being honoured for their outstanding contributions to both law and cricket. Aldona MLA and Senior Advocate Carlos Alvares Ferreira presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Senior Advocates Saresh Lotlikar, Subodh Kantak, Nitin Sardesai, and veteran Advocate Shantaram Naik. Each awardee was felicitated with a memento and a shawl, and their video messages recalling memorable cricketing and professional experiences were screened during the event.

Addressing the gathering, ACL President Adv. Iftikhar Agha lauded the dedication of the organising committee and appreciated the continued enthusiasm of advocate players and franchise owners, noting that their involvement has been key to the league’s success.

The player auction featured spirited bidding, with several advocate-players drawing impressive numbers. Adv. Dattaprasad Shirodkar emerged as the highest-valued player of the auction, purchased for 63 lakh points by Adv. Iftikhar Agha’s team, Lawyer Challengers. For Risers, owned by Adv. Anup Kudchadkar, Adv. Abhishek Dhawaskar became the costliest pick at 43 lakh points. Lotlikar Lions, co-owned by Senior Adv. Saresh Lotlikar, secured Adv. Vaibhav Bandekar for 37 lakh points, making him their top acquisition.

Other teams were equally active in building their rosters. Legal Titans, led by Adv. Kedar Shirgaonkar, picked up Adv. Satyam Ghogale for 57 lakh points, while 18 Juners, owned by Adv. Dattaprasad Lawande and Senior Adv. Yogesh Nadkarni, bought Adv. Viraj Tar for the same amount. The defending champions UB Warriors, managed by Adv. Pankaj Dabolkar and Senior Adv. Coelho Pereira, signed Adv. Raghunath Parab for 45 lakh points. Each franchise completed its 16-member squad by the end of the auction.

Adding to the day’s excitement, the trophy for ACL Season 7 was officially unveiled, symbolising the league’s continued growth and the enthusiasm it brings to Goa’s legal and sporting circles. The Advocates Cricket League continues to serve as a platform where professional excellence meets sporting passion, strengthening bonds within the legal community through the spirit of the game.

Events in Goa

Open Call for Creators: Pop It Up Tinto at Serendipity Arts Festival 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF) is gearing up for its 10th milestone edition, celebrating art, food, and culture that transcends boundaries. In collaboration with Pop It Up Goa, co-founded by Natasha Parekh and Bhakti Hirani Veljee, SAF has launched an open call inviting artists, entrepreneurs, and creators to participate in a specially curated marketplace called Pop It Up Tinto.

This platform, designed to spotlight small and medium entrepreneurs, will take place at the Art Park, situated across the Old GMC Complex in Panaji, Goa. From foodpreneurs to clothing designers to trinket-makers, Pop It Up Tinto offers creators the opportunity to showcase their products and engage with festival-goers in a vibrant and interactive environment. Scheduled for December 14–21, 2025, this initiative celebrates Goa’s rich cultural diversity and the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship.

Registrations for Serendipity Arts Festival 2025 are now live. Interested creators can visit the official festival website to secure their participation, book tickets, and stay updated on workshops, performances, exhibitions, and other programmes. More details and updates are expected in the run-up to the festival. Join the 10th edition of SAF in Panaji, Goa, from December 12–21, 2025, and be part of this unique cultural experience.

Apply and learn more here: https://www.serendipityartsfestival.com/register

Serendipity Arts Festival transforms iconic buildings and spaces into South Asia’s premier multi-disciplinary cultural platform, encompassing visual arts, performing arts, culinary experiences, live performances, literature, and film. By fostering cross-cultural dialogue and nurturing artistic practice, SAF continues to strengthen creative ecosystems and inspire communities across regions and generations.

Events in Goa

Goa to Host Landmark Fifth Edition of IRONMAN 70.3 India with 1,300 Athletes from 31 Countries

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa is all set to host the landmark fifth edition of IRONMAN 70.3 GOA, India, beginning 9th November, drawing close to 1,300 participants from 31 countries. Since its inception, the event has attracted athletes from 62 nations, establishing Goa as a global destination for triathlon and endurance sports. The race, which combines a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride, and 21.1 km run, challenges both amateur and professional athletes, showcasing their strength, resilience, and spirit.

Kedar Naik, Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, highlighted that hosting the event reflects Goa’s commitment to promoting itself as a hub for international sports tourism, beyond its traditional identity as a leisure destination. “The growing number of countries and athletes participating each year highlights the global confidence in Goa’s ability to deliver world-class sporting experiences,” he said.

Deepak Raj, Founder of Yoska and Country Head of IRONMAN India, expressed pride in reaching the fifth edition, noting that the journey from a handful of dreamers in 2019 to athletes from 31 nations today underscores Goa’s position as the home of IRONMAN in India. He emphasized the community and passion shown by the triathlon fraternity that has fueled this growth.

Ajay Khanna, Managing Director of Herbalife India, spoke on the alignment of the event with the brand’s values, emphasizing dedication, preparation, proper nutrition, and the celebration of fitness that goes beyond the finish line. Actor and race ambassador Saiyami Kher also shared her excitement, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges of endurance and the inspiring global community that gathers each year.

Organised by Yoska in collaboration with the Government of Goa and IRONMAN, the race will start at the Miramar beachfront, continuing its legacy as one of India’s most scenic and inclusive endurance events. Since its global inception in 1978, IRONMAN has grown into a worldwide phenomenon with over 150 events in more than 50 countries, engaging over 300,000 participants annually. Yoska, headquartered in Bengaluru, has been instrumental in bringing international fitness events to India, offering local athletes a platform for global competitive opportunities.

Sports

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant Inaugurates FIDE World Cup Goa 2025 at Taleigao

allycaralgoa

Goa marked a proud moment in its sporting history as Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the FIDE World Cup Goa 2025 at the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao.

The grand opening ceremony was organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Goa, and the Sports Authority of Goa, in collaboration with FIDE (The International Chess Federation) and the All India Chess Federation (AICF).

The event witnessed the presence of several distinguished guests, including Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Sports Minister Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, Chief Secretary Dr. V. Candavelou, IAS, Rajya Sabha MP Shri Sadanand Shet Tanavade, MLA Shri Nilesh Cabral, AICF President Shri Nitin Narang, Secretary (Sports) Shri Santosh Sukhadev, IAS, and Director (Sports) Dr. Ajay Gaude, among others.

In a symbolic moment of pride and unity, Chief Minister Dr. Sawant and Union Minister Dr. Mandaviya, along with the dignitaries, unveiled the FIDE World Cup 2025 Trophy, marking the official commencement of the tournament.

The FIDE World Cup Goa 2025 brings together some of the world’s finest chess grandmasters and rising talents, shining a global spotlight on Goa as a premier destination for international sporting events.

The tournament will run until November 27, 2025, with participants from across the world competing for top honors in the prestigious championship.

This event reinforces Goa’s growing reputation as a dynamic hub for international sports and youth development, blending tradition, intellect, and excellence.

Events in Goa

Raising Light 2025: Goa’s Beloved Charity Gala Returns to Celebrate Giving and Community

Tanisha Cardozo

The sixth edition of Goa’s much-loved charity celebration, Raising Light 2025, will be held on November 5 at Bottle Bay, Baga, promising an unforgettable evening where music, fashion, and compassion come together to celebrate the spirit of giving.

For years, this vibrant initiative by Ninil D’Souza has united people under the Goan sky to share kindness and illuminate lives through the power of community. What began as a small gathering has evolved into one of Goa’s most anticipated charity galas, turning philanthropy into a celebration of joy and generosity.

This year’s theme, “Illuminating Lives with Every Flame,” captures the essence of Raising Light — where every gesture of giving holds meaning. The event will feature a charity fashion show, gala dinner, cocktails, and live entertainment, bringing together entrepreneurs, Rotarians, artists, and changemakers who believe in celebrating life through compassion.

Dr. Parag Sawant, Monty Sally, COMO, and Pallav Ojha will collaborate to present spectacular fashion segments, with 45 participants walking the runway. Proceeds from the evening will support the National Association for the Blind (NAB), which empowers individuals with visual impairments through education and inclusion.

Adding new depth this year, the Raising Light Awards will recognise organisations and individuals making a meaningful difference in Goa. Each awardee will receive ₹50,000 sponsored by philanthropist Francis Viegas to further their social missions. Honourees include the National Association for the Blind (NAB), Our Lady of Boa Viagem (Old Age Home), Matruchhaya Trust, ASRO-Tivim, and AASTHA-Mapusa.

Speaking about the initiative, Ninil D’Souza said, “Raising Light has always been about people coming together and making a real difference. Every year, the circle of light grows stronger.”

The event will also feature short films highlighting stories of courage and compassion, offering guests a glimpse into the lives transformed by these organisations. From empowering the visually impaired to providing shelter and care for children and the elderly, each story embodies the power of community and love.

As the evening unfolds at Bottle Bay, Raising Light 2025 will once again remind Goa that generosity is the brightest light of all — a light that continues to grow with every heart that gives.