Tag: Margao Sports

Sports

Junior Cricket Championship 2026 Set to Bowl Off in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

The Junior Cricket Championship 2026 is all set to bring an exciting wave of grassroots cricket action to Goa as young talents gear up to showcase their skills from February 25 to 28. Organised by Oxford Cricket Club, the tournament will be held across two venues—Arlem Ground in Margao and Chicalim Ground in Vasco—creating a competitive yet nurturing environment for budding cricketers.

Spanning four days, the championship will feature three key age categories—U-15, U-14, and U-13—ensuring a broad platform for emerging players at different stages of development. Matches will follow a 25-over format, scheduled across morning and afternoon sessions, allowing for a packed and engaging tournament structure. The league stage will culminate in a third-place playoff and the grand finale on February 28, promising a thrilling conclusion.

A total of eight teams have been divided into two groups, setting the stage for intense competition. Group A includes Dhadsakal Star, AK Rangers, Banjara Cricket Club and Ghumteshwar, while Group B features Oxford, MCC, Panjim Challengers and Porvorim Panthers. With teams evenly matched, the championship is expected to deliver high-energy encounters leading into the knockout rounds.

The tournament, powered by CricHeroes, reflects a growing emphasis on structured cricket at the grassroots level in Goa. Speaking about the initiative, JCC President Romeen Mulam shared that the idea stemmed from a noticeable gap in organised opportunities for young players. While tennis-ball cricket tournaments and auctions are common among adults, similar platforms for children were largely absent until recent efforts.

Mulam recalled that the club itself was founded two decades ago in Dubai under the guidance of Mukhtar Khadri, with a vision to create meaningful cricketing opportunities. Bringing that vision to Goa, the championship aims to bridge the gap and offer young players a chance to experience competitive cricket in a professional setup.

The response to the tournament has been overwhelmingly positive. Despite initially capping participation at 150 players, registrations surged to 196, reflecting strong interest from both players and parents. This enthusiasm underlines the growing appetite for structured sporting opportunities among Goa’s youth.

Mulam also acknowledged the support extended by the Goa Cricket Association and the Sports Authority of Goa, which has been instrumental in ensuring the smooth conduct of the event. Their involvement further strengthens the credibility and scale of the championship.

Beyond the matches and competition, the organisers envision the Junior Cricket Championship as a long-term initiative that will become a staple in Goa’s sporting calendar. By providing consistent exposure and a professional framework, the tournament seeks to nurture talent at an early stage and contribute to the development of future cricket stars from the region.

As the tournament gets underway, cricket enthusiasts, parents and supporters are invited to witness the action unfold and cheer on the next generation of Goan cricketers. With high energy, competitive spirit and raw talent on display, the Junior Cricket Championship 2026 promises to be a celebration of youth, passion and the future of cricket in Goa.

Sports

Tridents & Strikers Dominate in GSB Unity Cup Thriller

Tanisha Cardozo

Margao witnessed an action-packed day of cricket as the GSB Unity Cup 3.0 delivered thrilling encounters at the MCC Ground, with K.K. Strikers and Shamrao Tridents emerging victorious in their respective matches.

In the morning clash, K.K. Strikers put up an imposing total of 205 for 9 in 20 overs. Opener Viraj Puranik led the charge with a blistering 55 off just 24 balls, laced with boundaries, while Rauji Kakodkar’s unbeaten 44 off 20 balls powered the innings past the 200-run mark. Ramnath Prabhu Bam also chipped in with a valuable 37. For Dempo Challengers, Shridhar Keni stood out with the ball, claiming three wickets.

Chasing a daunting target, Dempo Challengers showed glimpses of resistance through captain Samar Dubhashi (55), Tunish Sawkar (32), and Vibhav Pai (34). However, regular wickets and a lack of support from the lower order saw them fall short at 173. Rasik Pai Khot turned the game with a match-winning spell of 4 for 22, sealing a 32-run victory for the Strikers.

The second match proved to be a tighter contest, with Shamrao Tridents defending a modest total of 150 for 9. Deval Karmali’s impressive 53 and Siddhant Kunde’s steady unbeaten 37 anchored the innings, despite regular wickets. Rising Stars of Ponda bowlers Tanmay Sukhthankar and Shaunit Sawardekar kept things in check with three wickets each.

In response, Rising Stars struggled early but fought back through Ved Mahambre’s 50 and captain Prasheel Kamat’s 34. However, disciplined bowling from the Tridents, led by Kritin Bhangui’s 3 for 18, ensured they were bowled out for 135, handing Tridents a 15-run win.

Rasik Pai Khot was named Desserts N More Player of the Match, while Viraj Puranik received the Kamat Realty Hero of the Match award in the first game. In the second match, Siddhant Kunde and Deval Karmali were recognised for their standout performances.

With strong performances and competitive spirit on display, the GSB Unity Cup 3.0 continues to celebrate grassroots cricket and emerging talent in Goa.

Sports

Baale BPS Open 2026: Kyan Mavany, Ethan Ataide Advance to Boys U-14 Final; Girls Semifinalists Confirmed

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Margao, February 2026 – The third edition of the Baale BPS Open 2026 continues to showcase emerging tennis talent, with exciting matches unfolding at the B.P.S. Sports Club in Margao.


In the Boys Under-14 category, Kyan Mavany and Ethan Ataide secured their spots in the final after impressive semifinal victories. Kyan delivered a commanding performance, defeating Alec Barreto 4-0, 4-0 in straight sets. Ethan, meanwhile, battled through a gripping encounter against Shaurya Verlekar, eventually clinching the match 4-3, 1-4, 11-9 in a thrilling decider.

Earlier in the quarterfinals, Kyan maintained his dominant form with a 6-1 win over Devaansh Naik. Alec Barreto advanced with a 6-1 victory against Aarav Ataide, while Shaurya Verlekar edged Arsh Sardesai 7-5 in a closely fought match. Ethan Ataide also impressed, progressing with a 6-3 win over Christian Fernandes.

In the opening round, Kyan began his campaign with a 6-0 victory over Parth Kadam. Devaansh Naik defeated Satya Stewart 6-1, while Aarav Ataide registered a 6-4 win over Aymer Fernandes. Alec Barreto advanced with a dominant 6-0 performance against Keon Fernandes. Shaurya Verlekar posted a 6-1 win over Vihaan Krishnan, Arsh Sardesai defeated Ivan Henriques 6-2, and Ethan Ataide secured a 6-0 victory over Arnav Kamat.

In the Girls Under-14 category, the quarterfinals produced several convincing results. Tvisha Sardesai cruised to a 6-0 win over Eva de Souza, Kimberly D’sa defeated Myra Borkar 6-0, Urvi Panandikar advanced with a 6-4 victory against Analeah Menezes, and Bhaavya Bhoomkar secured a 6-1 win over Anindita Sawate.

Supported by Baale Resort Goa and conducted under the aegis of the Goa State Tennis Association (GSTA), the Baale BPS Open 2026 has attracted 197 entries across junior, open, and veterans’ categories. The 11-day tournament continues to provide a competitive platform for rising stars and seasoned players alike, with several key matches scheduled in the coming days.

Sports

Baale BPS Open 2026 Kicks Off Strong as Masters 45+ Players Shine

Tanisha Cardozo

The third edition of the Baale BPS Open 2026 got underway with an impressive display of skill and competitive spirit in the Masters 45+ Singles category at B.P.S. Sports Club in Margao. Veteran players set the tone early in the state-ranking tournament, delivering a series of decisive performances as they progressed through the opening rounds.

The tournament was inaugurated at the Margao venue in the presence of key dignitaries from the local tennis and sporting community, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting edition. From the outset, players showcased sharp form, with several dominant wins highlighting the opening day’s action. Sameer secured a commanding 6-0 victory over Anup, while Pankaj Naik mirrored that performance with a clinical win against Brian by the same margin. Kalyananaraman B advanced with a confident 6-2 win over Rohan L, and Marcus edged past Kedar in a closely fought contest, finishing 6-4. Ehrlick also progressed comfortably with a 6-0 victory over T Kulkarni.

The intensity continued into the second round, where Dimitry delivered a composed performance to defeat Sidharth S 6-2. Neville battled through a tight match against Sameer, eventually winning 7-5, while Kalyananaraman B maintained his strong run with a convincing 6-1 victory over Kishore. Marcus continued his steady form with a solid 6-3 win against Naveen, further underlining the competitive depth in the veterans’ category.

Supported by Baale Resort Goa and conducted under the aegis of the Goa State Tennis Association, the tournament has attracted a total of 197 entries across junior, open, and veterans’ categories. The growing participation reflects the tournament’s rising stature within Goa’s sporting calendar. This year’s edition has also introduced new veterans’ events, including the Masters 60+ Singles and Masters 100+ Doubles categories, expanding opportunities for senior players to compete at a structured level.

The tournament will run over 11 days at the B.P.S. Sports Club courts, with matches scheduled across multiple categories. As the competition progresses, players and spectators alike can expect more high-quality tennis and closely contested matches, reinforcing the event’s reputation as one of the state’s premier tennis tournaments.

Sports

Desserts N More Avengers Register One-Sided Win in GSB Unity Cup 3.0

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Desserts N More Avengers delivered a commanding performance to defeat Vimson Panjim Powerplay by six wickets in the ongoing GSB Unity Cup 3.0 tournament, organised by the Goa GSB Sports and Charitable Trust. The match was played under floodlights at the MCC Ground in Margao on Wednesday.


After winning the toss, Desserts N More Avengers elected to bowl first and successfully restricted Vimson Panjim Powerplay to 122 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.

Sardesai’s Lone Effort

For Vimson Panjim Powerplay, Arsh Sardesai waged a lone battle with a brisk 55 off 34 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes. Gaurish Agni and Nimay Kamat chipped in with 17 runs each, but the rest of the batting lineup struggled against disciplined bowling.

Siddhesh Prabhu Alvencar led the bowling attack for Desserts N More Avengers with impressive figures of 2 for 15. He received good support from Kaushal Hattangadi (1/12), Vikram Gaitonde (1/19), Pratham Prabhugaonkar (1/25) and Akhil Nadkarni (1/23).

Comfortable Chase
Chasing a modest target of 123, Desserts N More Avengers completed the task in just 13.2 overs, reaching 125 for 4.

Smit Dalvi continued his fine form with a quick 39 off 26 deliveries, including three fours and three sixes. Sachin Bhandare (21) and Saish Hegde, who remained unbeaten on 22, ensured there were no late hiccups in the chase.

For Vimson Panjim Powerplay, Shivam Varik stood out with figures of 2 for 15, while Siddhant Amonkar (1/10) and Arsh Sardesai (1/11) picked up a wicket each.

Awards

Siddhesh Prabhu Alvencar was named the Desserts N More Player of the Match, with the award presented by Dr. Siya Rajesh Ghodge and Gaurav Borker. Smit Dalvi received the Kamat Realty Hero of the Match award for his impactful innings.

Brief Scorecard
Vimson Panjim Powerplay – 122/9 in 20 overs
(Arsh Sardesai 55, Gaurish Agni 17, Nimay Kamat 17, Extras 4; Siddhesh Prabhu Alvencar 2/15, Kaushal Hattangadi 1/12, Vikram Gaitonde 1/19, Pratham Prabhugaonkar 1/25, Akhil Nadkarni 1/23)

Desserts N More Avengers – 125/4 in 13.2 overs
(Smit Dalvi 39, Saish Hegde 22*, Sachin Bhandare 21, Siddhesh Prabhu Alvencar 11*, Extras 12; Shivam Varik 2/15, Siddhant Amonkar 1/10, Arsh Sardesai 1/11)