Sports

Vishnu Sinai Dempo Memorial Inter-School Table Tennis Tournament Set for a Grand Showdown at Campal


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

The Vishnu Sinai Dempo Memorial All Goa Inter School Invitational Table Tennis Tournament is set to bring remarkable enthusiasm to the Indoor Stadium, Campal, on December 14, 2025. Some of Goa’s most promising young athletes, including Chandan Caro, Ishita Colaso, Vedant Wagle, Yug Prabhu, Pradyna Caro, Ruhaan Shaikh and Aarna Lotlikar, will headline what promises to be an exciting day of competition. The event will also feature a vibrant lineup of emerging talents such as Yuvaan Sanke, Ishaan Colaco, Sanisha Sinha, Shreya Phadte, Anaya Srivastava, Ayushi Amonkar, Kavyaa Khalap, Kavish Dalvi and Inara D’Souza, ensuring matches filled with intensity and high-quality sporting spirit.

Organised by the Panaji Morning Stars Sports Club in collaboration with Dempo Royals, the tournament builds on the organisers’ recent success hosting the elite Multi State Masters Table Tennis Championship. This year’s inter-school edition will witness 16 schools battling across Boys and Girls League Team events, bringing together 28 teams and a remarkable participation of 103 players. The organisers view the event not only as a competitive stage but also as a powerful platform for nurturing young athletes. Promoter Yogish Dempo shared that the vision behind the tournament is centred on fostering confidence and leadership in young players, emphasising that the event is about far more than just matches.

The participants share the same spirit of excitement. Goa’s top girl player, Ishita Colaso, expressed how team events bring out the best in every athlete and how representing one’s school teaches values of pride, pressure and responsibility. National Gold medallist Chandan Caro echoed this sentiment, stating that the tournament plays an important role in helping players learn to fight hard and proudly carry their school’s name.

With pure dedication, strong school spirit and youthful energy coming together under one roof, Campal is set to witness a memorable celebration of Goa’s rising table tennis stars. The day promises not only fierce competition but also the joy of young athletes embracing the sport with passion and purpose.

Sports

Selection Trials Announced for Table Tennis U-19 Boys Ahead of 69th National School Games


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

The Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs (DSYA), Government of Goa, has announced that selection trials for the state’s Under-19 Boys Table Tennis team will be held on November 12, 2025, at the Indoor Stadium, Campal, Panaji. The selected players will go on to represent Goa at the upcoming 69th National School Games.

As per the DSYA notification, all participants must be under 19 years of age, meaning they should be born on or after January 1, 2007. To ensure compliance with eligibility requirements, each player is required to submit an Age Verification Test (AVT) certificate issued by a certified doctor, along with the official eligibility forms during registration.

The Directorate continues its commitment to identifying and nurturing young sports talent across the state through structured trials and training opportunities. These trials provide an essential platform for student athletes to demonstrate their skills, gain exposure, and compete at a national level.

The 69th National School Games serve as a premier sporting event in India, bringing together the best young athletes from different states to compete across multiple disciplines. Goa’s representation in the Table Tennis category is expected to be highly competitive, with the selection process focusing on both skill and discipline.

The DSYA has encouraged schools, coaches, and local sports associations to ensure eligible players are informed and participate in the trials. The Directorate continues to emphasize the role of school-level sports in fostering discipline, teamwork, and a lifelong engagement with physical fitness and excellence.

Participants and schools seeking further information can contact the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs, Panaji, for detailed instructions regarding documentation and reporting times.

EduConnect

Young Archers from Sunshine Worldwide School Shine at Independence Day Competition


On August 15, 2025, Sunshine Worldwide School, Old Goa, proudly participated in an archery competition held to celebrate India’s Independence Day. The event was hosted by Zito Archery Club and took place at Fr. Agnel Central School, Pilar, attracting young archery talent from schools across the region.

Guided by their dedicated coach, Leonor Godinho, the school’s archery team demonstrated strong sportsmanship, discipline, and skill. Among the shining stars of the competition was Ms. Abigail Vanderpett, whose composed focus, technique, and precision caught the attention of both judges and spectators alike. Her performance stood out not just for the scores, but for the grace and control she displayed throughout the competition.

Events like these not only allow students to test their sporting ability but also foster confidence, teamwork, and valuable life experiences. The spirit of friendly competition and encouragement among schools made the day a memorable one.

The Sunshine Worldwide School community extends heartfelt congratulations to all the participants and looks forward to celebrating many more successes in the future.

Sports

Pravara Bakhale & Saideep Naik Named Best Players at Borim Badminton Tournament 2025


Written by Tanisha Cardozo

Borim witnessed a celebration of youthful talent and competitive spirit as the Third Annual Swatantryasenani Jairam Vasudev Borkar All Borim High School Badminton Tournament concluded successfully on September 14. Organized by the Borim Development Trust and Swami Vivekanand Vidyaprasarak Mandal, the event was hosted at the Multipurpose Hall of Swami Vivekanand High School and spanned three action-packed days from September 12 to 14.

Young athletes from Swami Vivekanand High School, Pragati Vidyalaya, and Panchasheel English High School participated with enthusiasm in various categories, including Under-14 and Under-17 boys’ and girls’ singles and doubles.

Among the many outstanding performances, Pravara Bakhale and Saideep Naik stood out and were awarded Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Tournament, respectively. Their consistent skill, dedication, and court presence earned praise from organizers and spectators alike.

The tournament’s Guest of Honour, Chetan Magdum—Goa’s top U-19 badminton player, state player, and coach—presented trophies to all winners and runners-up. The event also saw the support of sponsors Udai Borkar and Kedar Borkar, who continue to promote grassroots sports initiatives in the region.

The tournament was smoothly conducted by Ashu Korde, PE teacher at Swami Vivekanand College, ensuring fairness and organization throughout.

The prize distribution ceremony marked a fitting close to the event, celebrating the achievements of young talents and the spirit of community sports in Borim. This tournament once again reinforced the town’s growing reputation as a nurturing ground for emerging sporting talent.

EduConnect

Pope John XXIII High School Clinches U14 Sepaktakraw Quepem Taluka Championship


Pope John XXIII High School, Quepem, showcased stellar skill and teamwork to secure the U14 Sepaktakraw Quepem Taluka Championship, defeating Don Bosco Sulcorna with a commanding score of 2–0 (15–7, 15–8) in the final match.

The championship, organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs (DSYA), Campal–Panjim, brought together talented young athletes from across the taluka, highlighting the growing enthusiasm for Sepaktakraw, a dynamic and acrobatic sport gaining popularity in Goa.

The victory marks a proud moment for Pope John XXIII High School. The team’s success is credited not only to their rigorous preparation and teamwork but also to the strong support system provided by the school faculty. They were congratulated warmly by Principal Fr. Manuel Vas, Vice Principal Fr. Christovan Cardozo, Physical Education Teacher Sir Cosme Ferrao, and Dr. Aldrin Mascarenhas, all of whom have played pivotal roles in shaping the school’s sporting culture.

As champions, these young athletes serve as a testament to the power of discipline, guidance, and determination in sports. With continued encouragement and support, Pope John XXIII High School aims to nurture more future stars who will make their mark at state and national levels.