Sports

9-Year-Old Amaira Dhumatker Shines at Goa Major Ranking Badminton Tournament


Goa’s young badminton prodigy Amaira Dhumatker, just nine years of age, delivered a stellar performance at the All Goa Major Ranking Badminton Tournament organized by Sunlite Sports Club in collaboration with the Goa Badminton Association (GBA) and the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG). The tournament was held at the Campal Indoor Stadium on November 1st and 2nd, 2025, and brought together some of Goa’s best young badminton players.

Amaira impressed both spectators and officials with her exceptional agility, technique, and composure on court. She secured Gold in Under-11 Girls Singles, Silver in Under-13 Girls Singles, and Silver in Under-13 Girls Doubles, marking an incredible run across multiple age categories. Her all-round performance earned her the title of Outstanding Player of the Tournament, a recognition reserved for the most consistent and dominant competitor across events.

At only nine, Amaira continues to prove her potential as one of Goa’s most promising young athletes. Her achievements at this prestigious state-level ranking event highlight not only her talent but also her dedication and sportsmanship.

Organizers from Sunlite Sports Club, along with officials from GBA and SAG, lauded Amaira’s success and encouraged young players to follow her example of determination and discipline.

Amaira Dhumatker’s triumph at the tournament is yet another milestone in her budding badminton journey and a proud moment for Goa’s sporting community. With her continued hard work and passion, she is undoubtedly a name to watch in Indian badminton’s future.

Sports

GFDC Celebrates 13 Years of Football Development in Goa


The Goa Football Development Council (GFDC), established in 2012 to nurture football talent at the grassroots level, celebrated its 13th year on August 13, 2025, at the Athletic Stadium, Santacruz.

The special function began at 5:30 PM with a cake-cutting ceremony, graced by Chief Guest Secretary Sports, Shri. Santosh Sukhadeve, IAS, alongside Dr. Ajay Gaude, Director, Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs; Shri. Sumith Maheshwari, High Performance Director, Khelo India; Fransquinha Almeida, Member Secretary, GFDC; and other dignitaries.

The celebrations included spirited football matches between coaches and officials of GFDC, DSYA, and SAG, showcasing camaraderie and passion for the sport. Prizes were distributed by the Secretary Sports, acknowledging the contributions of participants and stakeholders.

Since its inception, GFDC has played a pivotal role in promoting football in Goa through grassroots programs, coaching clinics, youth leagues, and fitness assessments for coaches. Its initiatives have been instrumental in creating a sustainable ecosystem for football talent in the state.