Tag: Grassroots Sports

Sports

8th All Goa State Wushu Championship and 2nd Inter-College Wushu Competition 2026 Held at Anjuna

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

The 8th All Goa State Wushu Championship 2026 along with the 2nd Inter-College Wushu Competition 2026 was successfully organised by the Association of Goa Wushu in association with the Village Panchayat of Anjuna Caisua, Chivar and Chapora, on January 29 and 30, 2026, at the Anjuna–Caisua Panchayat Hall, Chivar, Chapora.


The championship was inaugurated by Surendra Sazu Govekar, Sarpanch of Anjuna Caisua Village Panchayat, in the presence of Panchayat members Dinesh Patil and Sudesh Parsekar, along with Paulo Killman Fernandes, Secretary of the Association of Goa Wushu, and other dignitaries.

The Village Panchayat of Anjuna Caisua extended full support and cooperation towards the successful conduct of the event, underlining its commitment to promoting martial arts and encouraging grassroots-level sports development in the region.

Winners of the championship were felicitated with medals and trophies by Delilah Lobo, MLA of the Siolim Constituency, Niyati Chimulkar, Vice President of the Association of Goa Wushu, along with the Sarpanch and Panchayat members. The competition was officiated by Ashok Mokashi and Sangamesh Layadagundi, National Judges (WAI) from the Karnataka Wushu Association, who served as official invitees for the event.

The championship saw enthusiastic participation from Wushu players across Goa in Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior categories for both boys and girls. Events were conducted in Taolu and Sanda disciplines across various weight categories. The Inter-College Wushu Competition was held separately, showcasing emerging talent from colleges across the state.

All participating athletes received participation certificates, while winners were awarded medals and certificates. Coaches and physical education teachers were presented with mementoes, and trophies were awarded to overall champion teams, marking the successful conclusion of the two-day sporting event.

Sports

Goa Awaits Its First National Cricket Icon, Says BJP State President Damu Naik

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

BJP State President Damodar ‘Damu’ Naik expressed optimism that Goa will soon produce a national-level cricketer who can emerge as a definitive icon for the state. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the Grand Auction of the Junior Cricket Championship (JCC), organised by the Oxford Cricket Club at Borda, Margao.

The Junior Cricket Championship is scheduled to be held from February 25 to 28, with matches to be played at venues in Arlem, Margao, and Vasco–Chicalim. The tournament will feature three age-group categories — Under-15, Under-14 and Under-13 — aimed at nurturing talent at an early stage.

The auction marked an important milestone for the championship, bringing together team owners, young players, organisers and officials. Among those present were JCC President Romeen Mulam, Mentor Sandeep Naik, and former Ranji cricketer and former Goa Under-19 coach Robin D’Souza.

Addressing the gathering, Naik noted that while cricketing infrastructure was once a challenge in Goa, the progress made in recent years has been significant. He highlighted the tournament’s theme, “Fueling the Future,” and said platforms like the JCC are enabling young players to thrive. He also acknowledged the growing role of parents, who are increasingly investing in their children’s nutrition, fitness and training. According to him, Goa is now simply waiting for one player to break through at the national level and become a symbol of the state’s cricketing potential.

Sharing the journey of the Oxford Cricket Club, Romeen Mulam said the initiative began over two decades ago in Dubai under Mukhtar Khadri. While auctions are common in tennis-ball cricket for adults, he identified a gap in similar opportunities for children. He noted that the response to the championship has been overwhelming, with 196 players registering despite an initial cap of 150.

Mentor Sandeep Naik, a former Ranji cricketer and coach, stressed the importance of parental support in the development of young athletes. He said the platform is not about winning or losing, but about giving children an opportunity to showcase their talent, while thanking the owners of the eight teams for their support.

Former Ranji player Robin D’Souza praised the initiative, stating that such foundations are crucial for long-term growth. He observed that the standard of Goan cricket has already improved at the junior level, particularly in the Under-14 and Under-16 categories, and expressed confidence that the upward trajectory will continue.

Sports

Rugby Emerges as a Powerful Tool for Youth Leadership and Community Bonding in Goa

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Panaji: Rugby is quickly gaining momentum across Goa, evolving into a transformative force that not only builds athleticism but also strengthens community ties and nurtures young leaders. As participation rises in schools and colleges, the sport is proving to be a unique platform for discipline, character-building, and unity.

Brandon Crasto, Founder of Goa 7s and President of the Crocotryles Rugby Foundation, highlighted how deeply rugby is influencing young Goans.
“There is a lot that rugby can do in terms of growing the sport in the community itself. Through the foundation, we visit 20–25 schools every season and reach more than 10,000 children annually. With international players and coaches, we showcase what rugby can unlock — from club-level opportunities to representing the country,” Crasto said.

He emphasised that rugby offers a valuable alternative for youth amid growing distractions.
“Rugby can do a lot for the future generation of Goa. The young generation is getting distracted by things like phones and vices; rugby provides an outlet to create future leaders, and develops them physically and mentally.”

Ryan Gaulstan, Training and Education Manager at Rugby India, underscored the importance of structured learning in advancing the sport.
“Training in education is a key vertical for Rugby India. Through this, we empower states and UTs to build their workforce of qualified coaches, medics, match officials, and strength trainers. That’s why we are in Goa — to empower the Crocotryles Foundation to strengthen rugby in their state.”

The international support for Goa’s rugby movement continues to grow.
During a two-week training stint in Goa, Michael Blatteis, Philippines 7s International Player from Cali, USA, praised the foundation’s efforts:
“You can see how these kids are raised with strong values. Introducing sports early builds natural leaders with teamwork and discipline. Whether or not they go far in rugby, they attempt something meaningful and grow as individuals.”

Global collaboration is also becoming a part of Goa’s rugby journey.
A symbolic jersey exchange took place between Crasto and Samaka Isaacs, ex-student of Oakhill College, Australia. Murry Fisher, Sports Headmaster, sent jerseys and socks in support of the foundation.
“This exchange symbolises community bonding and spreads the La Sallian spirit — solidarity, compassion, and sportsmanship,” Isaacs said. “Hopefully, we can build a partnership and bring a team down to Goa in the future.”

With growing participation, structured training, and international involvement, rugby is poised to become a major force in shaping Goa’s youth and uniting its communities.

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

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.