Tag: Porvorim

Sports

Advocates Cricket League Season 7 to Begin December 21 in Goa

allycaralgoa

Panaji: The much-anticipated seventh season of the Advocates Cricket League (ACL) is set to commence on December 21, promising thrilling T20 action featuring teams from Goa’s vibrant legal fraternity. League matches will be hosted at Chicalim, Vasco, while the semi-finals and final will take place at the prestigious Goa Cricket Association (GCA) ground in Porvorim.

Following a successful auction conducted at the High Court premises in Porvorim, all participating franchises have finalised their 16-member squads. The league phase will run from December 21 to December 29, with two matches scheduled daily at 9.15 am and 1.30 pm. December 25 will be observed as a holiday, with no matches scheduled.

The opening day will see 18 Juners face Lotlikar Lions in the morning fixture, followed by Lawyer Challengers taking on United Brothers in the afternoon. Other notable league encounters include Risers versus Legal Titans, Lotlikar Lions against United Brothers, and several high-voltage clashes involving Lawyer Challengers, 18 Juners, and Risers.

At the conclusion of the league stage, the top four teams will qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled on January 9, 2026. The first semi-final will see Rank 1 play Rank 4 at 9.15 am, followed by Rank 2 versus Rank 3 at 1.30 pm. The grand finale, to be played under floodlights, is scheduled for January 10, 2026, at 6.00 pm.

ACL President Iftikhar Agha expressed optimism ahead of the tournament, stating that the league has grown stronger with every passing season. He highlighted the enthusiasm shown by team owners and players during the auction, emphasizing that the league aims to promote healthy competition, camaraderie, and sportsmanship while providing a professional platform for advocates to showcase their cricketing talent.

Defending champions UB Warriors will look to retain their title, while teams including Lawyer Challengers, Legal Titans, Lotlikar Lions, Risers, United Brothers, and 18 Juners aim to make a strong mark in what promises to be a closely contested season.

With the Season 7 trophy unveiled and fixtures announced, excitement continues to build as the Advocates Cricket League prepares to deliver another memorable chapter in Goa’s sporting calendar.

Sports

GCA Conducts U-14 Boys’ State Team Trials at Porvorim

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

The Goa Cricket Association successfully conducted the U-14 Boys’ State Team Trials for the 2025–26 season on December 11 and 12 at Porvorim, offering young cricketers from across the state an opportunity to showcase their skills and stake a claim for state selection. The trials attracted promising talent, reflecting the growing interest and depth of grassroots cricket in Goa.

Players were assessed on various aspects of the game, including batting, bowling, fielding and overall match awareness, as selectors closely observed performances over the two-day process. The trials were supervised by GCA Secretary Tulshidas Shetye, Joint Secretary Anant Naik, Senior Director Prakash Mayenkar, Junior Director Sharad Padnekar, Chairman Sahil Dhuri, along with the association’s coaching staff.

The presence of senior officials ensured that the selection process was conducted in a transparent, fair and well-organised manner, in line with the association’s commitment to nurturing young talent and strengthening the state’s cricketing future. The trials form a crucial step in identifying players who will represent Goa in the upcoming domestic season, while also motivating young athletes to continue developing their skills at the grassroots level.

Through initiatives like these trials, the Goa Cricket Association continues to focus on building a strong foundation for cricket in the state, encouraging participation, discipline and excellence among the next generation of players.

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

Goa Deepotsav 2025 Lights Up Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with Cultural Splendour

Tanisha Cardozo

The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, successfully hosted Goa Deepotsav 2025, a two-day celebration that illuminated Porvorim, Saligao, and Mapusa with festive cheer, music, and cultural splendour. The event brought together Goans from all walks of life to celebrate Diwali through art, tradition, and togetherness, reflecting the essence of Goa’s cultural unity.

The first-ever edition of Deepotsav in Mapusa, held at the Mapusa Taxi Stand Ground, witnessed vibrant community participation and an impressive turnout. The event featured engaging contests such as the All Goa Akash Kandil Competition, cooking and fugdi contests, and an energetic cultural showcase. The evening highlight, Rhythm of Lights, mesmerized audiences with performances that beautifully portrayed Goa’s cultural diversity.

Among the dignitaries present were Hon’ble Minister for Tourism Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Deputy Speaker & MLA, Mapusa, Shri Joshua De Souza, Chairperson of Mapusa Municipal Council Smt Priya Mishal, Deputy Director of Tourism Shri Dhiraj Vagle, Dy. General Manager (Marketing/Hotels), GTDC, Shri Deepak Narvekar, Asst. Director of Tourism Shri Jayesh Kankonkar, councillors, and former councillors.

In his address, Hon’ble Minister Shri Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted that the Goa Beyond Beaches initiative, launched in 2022, aims to take tourism to the heart of local communities while empowering women and youth through cultural participation. He announced that Deepotsav will be celebrated annually in Mapusa to showcase Goa’s cultural richness and festive unity.

Director of Tourism Shri Kedar Naik expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming response to Deepotsav 2025, noting that the festival embodied Goa’s true spirit of joy, inclusivity, and creativity.

The celebrations began on October 25 at Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Hall, Porvorim, with workshops and competitions in clay modelling, drawing, cooking, fugdi, and traditional costume contests, concluding with the soulful performance Sur Taal. On October 26, the festivities continued at Saligao Panchayat Area with rangoli, cooking, and Veshbhusha Spardha contests, and culminated with Suron Kee Deepawali, a musical tribute to the festival of lights.

With Goa Deepotsav 2025, the Department of Tourism reaffirmed its commitment to promoting cultural tourism, local participation, and sustainable community engagement. The festival stood as a radiant symbol of Goa’s heritage, uniting communities under the glow of countless diyas.

Travel

Hon’ble Minister Rohan A. Khaunte Flags Off KTC Electric Bus Service Between Mapusa and Panjim

Tanisha Cardozo

In a progressive move toward greener and smarter mobility solutions, the Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd. (KTCL) has introduced a new electric bus service connecting two major hubs of North Goa—Mapusa and Panaji. The service was officially flagged off by Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing & Stationery, and MLA of Porvorim, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, during a ceremony held at Art Park, Porvorim.

The inauguration event witnessed the presence of local leaders including ZP Smt. Kavita Gupesh Naik, Sarpanch Shri Swapnil Chodankar, Sarpanch Smt. Sonia Sanjay Pednekar, and members from the Socorro, Penha De Franca, and Salvador Do Mundo Panchayats. Their participation highlighted the collective community effort toward building sustainable infrastructure.

During the flag-off, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing public transport systems through innovative, sustainable solutions. “The Government of Goa is committed to improving public transport infrastructure with sustainable solutions. The introduction of electric buses on this crucial route not only reduces congestion and travel time but also aligns with our vision of creating a cleaner and greener Goa,” he stated. He further underlined how this initiative supports the Regenerative Tourism model by focusing on environmental sustainability and community welfare.

The two electric buses will operate daily on a fixed route with strategically planned stops, including Paliem, Vaddem, Kharrem, Socorro Church, Ambirna, Paithona, Torda (Ganesh Temple), Art Park, Ramvadeshwar Temple, Britania House, Kavlekar Super Market, Porvorim Old Market (GCA), Maharudra Hanuman Temple (Housing Board), Clock Tower (Gadge Maharaj Hall), and Sanjay School, before reaching the Panaji Bus Stand. The return journey follows the same route in reverse.

Morning services begin at 7:30 AM, with one bus leaving from Mapusa and another from Panaji. Return services operate at 10:00 AM. The afternoon schedule begins at 4:30 PM and concludes with a return trip at 6:30 PM.

This reliable and environment-friendly transportation alternative is expected to be a boon for daily commuters, students, and professionals who travel between the two towns. More importantly, it sets a new benchmark for clean, community-focused public transport systems in the state, contributing significantly to Goa’s broader climate and mobility goals.