Tag: Panaji news

Sports

RC Goa Crowned PGML 5.0 Champions After Dominant Final Win

Tanisha Cardozo

RC Goa emerged champions of the Panjim Gymkhana-organised PGML 5.0 cricket tournament after defeating Priority Titans by five wickets in a commanding final at Bandodkar Ground.

Chasing a target of 157, RC Goa displayed confidence and composure, completing the run chase with 27 deliveries to spare. The champions were awarded ₹3 lakh along with the trophy, while Priority Titans settled for the runners-up prize of ₹2 lakh.

Earlier, Priority Titans opted to bat first after winning the toss and posted 156 before being bowled out in 19.3 overs. The innings began on a strong note, with the team reaching 102 for 1, but a sudden middle-order collapse saw them slip to 114 for 5. Contributions from Rijul Pathak (37), Atharva (37), and Adeep Misquin (26) laid the foundation, but the lower order failed to capitalise.

RC Goa’s bowling unit played a crucial role in restricting the opposition. Nakul Mhamal led the attack with impressive figures of 3 for 23, while Dattesh Priolkar picked up two wickets. Support came from Aryan Mashelkar, Gauresh Khandepakar, and Vardhan Prabhu Misquin, who kept the pressure on throughout the innings.

In response, RC Goa got off to a flying start, with Venkatesh Verlekar smashing 29 off just 13 balls. Sachin Sardesai anchored the innings with a composed 40, while Vardhan Prabhu Misquin added a valuable 38. Skipper Rajshekhar Harikant ensured there were no late setbacks, finishing unbeaten on 24 and sealing the victory in style with three consecutive sixes.

At the presentation ceremony, Digambar Kamat congratulated the winners and noted the competitive nature of the league, with a different champion emerging each year. Former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes, who attended as a special guest, praised the spirit of teamwork and the successful organisation of the tournament.

Individual Awards:

  • Player of the Match: Nakul Mhamal
  • Best Fielder: Adeep Misquin
  • Best Bowler: Ramnath Gaonkar
  • Best Batter: Heramb Shankar Parab
  • Player of the Tournament: Ramnath Gaonkar

The tournament once again highlighted the depth of cricketing talent in Goa, delivering exciting matches and memorable performances for fans.

Sports

Saras Summer Powar Wins Gopal Sukhtankar Memorial Chess 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

The Late Lt Cdr Gopal Sukhtankar Memorial Open Rapid FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026 concluded on a high note in Panaji, showcasing some of the finest chess talent from across the region. Organised by the Mustifund Parents Teacher Association, the tournament marked its 14th edition, continuing its legacy of promoting competitive chess in Goa.

    Saras Summer Powar emerged as the champion after an intense competition, finishing with an impressive score of 8 points. In a closely contested battle, Joshua Telles matched the same score but had to settle for the runner-up position due to a marginally lower tie-break score. Aryavrat Naik Desai secured third place with a commendable 7.5 points, rounding off the top three.

    The tournament saw strong participation across categories, with several players delivering notable performances. From fourth to twentieth place, competitors including Abhishek Patil, Atharva Katkar, Rishikesh Parab, Maxwell Raposo, and others demonstrated high levels of skill and determination throughout the event.

    Young talents also took centre stage in the category prizes across various age groups, highlighting the depth of emerging chess players in Goa. Winners from U7 to U15 categories, including Shrivalli Gandhi, Lyia Silveira, Anvi Desai, and many more, showcased exceptional promise and competitive spirit.

    Special recognitions added further significance to the event, with Gaonkar Aayansh being honoured as the youngest player, while Elis Barreto and Kiran Chopdekar were recognised among veteran participants. Mushtifund players also received appreciation for their efforts and performances.

    The prize distribution ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Chief Guest Sushant Redkar and Goa Chess Association President Mahesh Candolkar, along with key members of the organising committee and arbiters.

    With another successful edition completed, the tournament once again reinforced Goa’s growing presence in the chess circuit, fostering talent and encouraging young players to pursue excellence in the sport.

    TechPulse

    Goa Building Strong Startup Ecosystem with Capital, Mentorship and Market Access: Minister Rohan Khaunte

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    Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

    Panaji, February 12, 2026:
    The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, through the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), officially launched the Goa Startup Accelerator (GSA) Programme on Wednesday. The initiative aims to provide structured mentorship, market access, investment opportunities and growth support to startups across the state.


    The launch event, held at Novotel, Panaji, brought together startups, ecosystem enablers, industry leaders and government officials.

    The event was attended by Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism and Printing & Stationery; Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; and D.S. Prashant, CEO, Startup & IT Promotion Cell.

    Addressing the gathering, Minister Rohan Khaunte said Goa is steadily emerging as a strong startup destination.

    “Today, Goa is not just known for its quality of life, but for its forward-looking policies and a growing startup ecosystem of 734 DPIIT-registered startups, nearly half of which are women-led. Through the Goa Startup Policy 2025 and its 12 comprehensive schemes, along with initiatives like the Goa Accelerator Program and the Goa Open Innovation Challenge, we are creating an environment where startups have access to capital, mentorship, skills, infrastructure and real market opportunities. The Government is committed to providing every possible resource and support,” he said.

    The Goa Startup Accelerator Programme is a structured five-month initiative running from February to June 2026. It will culminate in a Demo Day where participating startups will showcase their progress and innovations.

    The event began with an orientation session for startups registered under the programme. Participants were briefed on the structure and roadmap of the accelerator. Startups also pitched their ideas to experts and interacted with mentors and fellow entrepreneurs.

    Winners of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 were felicitated during the event. In the startup category, SOLO Network, Cidroy Technologies LLP and So-AIR were honoured. In the student category, Suraj Vishwakarma and team from Padre Conceição College of Engineering, Verna, and Dattaprasad Narendra Prabhu and team from Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, were recognised. The Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 Report was also released by the Minister.

    Winners of the MedTech Hackathon, organised by the National Association of Palliative Care for AYUSH & Integrative Medicine (NAPCAIM) in collaboration with DITE&C, were also awarded. The winning teams included Team Biomade, Team My Pallo Friend and Team Kindred Tech.

    The programme additionally recognised several government and ecosystem enablers for their contribution to Goa’s growing innovation landscape.

    Through forward-looking policies, targeted schemes and collaborative platforms, DITE&C continues to strengthen Goa’s innovation-driven economy and support startups at every stage of growth.

    EduConnect

    B.Sc. Nursing Students Gain Exposure at Indian Red Cross Society Goa

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    Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

    A group of 59 B.Sc. Nursing students, accompanied by two faculty members from the Nursing Institute, Bambolim, visited the State Headquarters of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Goa, in Panaji as part of an educational exposure programme.


    The students were addressed by Gaurish Dhond, Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society, Goa, who highlighted the core values of the Red Cross movement. He encouraged the students, as future healthcare professionals, to uphold principles of selfless service, compassion and dedication to duty. Dhond also provided an overview of the wide-ranging humanitarian activities undertaken by the Society, including disaster response, blood services and community welfare initiatives across the state.

    Earlier, the General Secretary of the Society, John Aguiar, welcomed the students and faculty members. The visit included documentary films and presentations that offered a comprehensive understanding of the Red Cross’s global mission as well as its local operations and emergency response efforts.

    The exposure visit aimed to sensitize nursing students to the importance of voluntary humanitarian work and inspire them to actively engage in community-based healthcare and social service initiatives in the future.

    Human Interest

    GTDC Launches Calendar and Diary 2026, Showcasing Goa’s Tourism, Heritage and Experiences

    allycaralgoa

    Panaji; December 30, 2025: The Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) launched its Calendar and Diary for the year 2026 at a function held at Paryatan Bhavan, marking a renewed effort to visually showcase Goa’s rich tourism landscape, heritage, and experiences.

    The Calendar and Diary were unveiled by Hon’ble Chairman, GTDC, Shri Kedar J. Naik, in the presence of General Manager (Marketing), GTDC, Shri Gavin Dias, and Deputy General Manager (Marketing), GTDC, Shri Deepak Narvekar. The event was attended by Deputy General Manager (Administration) Shri Sandeep Gawas, Deputy General Manager (Finance) Shri Kundan Naik, Senior Managers Shri Vishesh Naik, Shri Pravin Phaldesai, and Shri Prasad Kavlekar, along with other officials of GTDC. The programme was compered by Shri Deepak Narvekar.

    Addressing the gathering, Shri Kedar J. Naik said that the New Year symbolises new hopes and resolutions, and calendars and diaries continue to remain relevant in everyday life. He noted that GTDC has revived the Calendar and Diary after a gap of ten years, with the objective of taking them house to house, promoting Goa’s hinterlands and lesser-known tourism destinations beyond established circuits. He encouraged the GTDC team to continue working with dedication to strengthen tourism outreach and promotion.

    Managing Director, GTDC, Shri Kuldeep Arolkar, stated that the Calendar and Diary serve as effective tools to promote Goa’s tourism experiences while reinforcing GTDC’s branding initiatives, with a clear focus on the State’s diverse offerings.

    General Manager, GTDC, Shri Gavin Dias, highlighted that the Calendar and Diary are designed to promote Goa’s hinterlands, introduce new tourism services, and act as meaningful takeaways for visitors. He added that branding and marketing continue to remain key focus areas for the Corporation.

    The GTDC Calendar and Diary 2026 aim to build brand GTDC and reinforce its role in promoting Goa as a premier tourism destination, with emphasis on GTDC hotels, events, new tourism services, local traditions, and sustainability, aligning strongly with the “Goa Beyond Beaches” initiative.