Sports

Alcon GSB Unity Cup 3.0 Auction Set for October 4 at Taj Vivanta, Panaji


The Alcon GSB Unity Cup 3.0 is gearing up for its most anticipated event — the Grand Auction — to be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 4:00 PM at Taj Vivanta, Panaji. Organised by the Goa GSB Sports & Charitable Trust and powered by Alcon Anil Counto Enterprises, the auction will finalize team compositions for the third edition of the prestigious GSB Unity Cup, a grassroots-level cricket tournament bringing together talent, passion, and community engagement.

This year, a total of 187 players registered for the tournament, out of which 180 will go under the hammer. The auction sets the stage for intense action and strategic bidding as 10 teams compete for top cricketing talent. The auction will be followed by an official inaugural ceremony between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM, which will include the Trophy and Jersey unveiling along with the felicitation of team owners.

The chief guest for the evening will be Mr. Shrinivas Dempo, a well-respected name in Goan sports and business circles. Mr. Yogiraj Kamat will attend as the Guest of Honour, with Mr. Aakash Khaunte as Special Invitee. The event promises to be a perfect blend of sportsmanship, strategy, and celebration.

The 10 teams competing this year and their respective owners are: CD Fountainhead (Chirag Datta Naik and Gaurav Borkar), Sinq Rangers (Sahil Adwalpalkar and Sanket Singbal), Madgaon Royals Cricket Club (Ashish Dukle and Adv Sahish Mahambrey), Desserts n More Avengers (Dr. Sagar Salgaocar), Priority Titans (Parind Nachinolkar & Swapneel Nachinolkar), KK Strikers (Kewal Kane and Amit Kamat), Shamrao Tridents (Prathamesh Sukhtankar), Dempo Challengers (Shrinivas Dempo), Vimson Panjim Powerplay (Harshvardhan Bhatkuly and Siddhant Amonkar), and Rising Stars of Ponda (Dr. Ketan Bhatikar).

This year’s tournament will be played across MCC in Margao and Panjim Gymkhana in January–February 2026. Venkat Biche is serving as the Chief Coordinator for the tournament and has been instrumental in shaping its structure and execution. The auction evening will also feature the presentation of mementoes to dignitaries, inspiring speeches, and a showcase of players and teams to watch out for in this highly anticipated edition of the Unity Cup.

Human Interest

Shrinivas Dempo shares a major throwback; 9 years ago hosted FIFA President in Goa


Nine years ago, in the vibrant coastal state of Goa, Shrinivas Dempo had the rare honor of hosting FIFA President Gianni Infantino for a private dinner. It was more than just an evening of hospitality — it was a meeting of minds brought together by a shared passion for football.

The occasion offered space for genuine conversation about the global game, the evolution of football in emerging regions, and the transformative power of sport. President Infantino’s visit to Goa came at a pivotal moment, symbolizing FIFA’s growing interest in the Indian football landscape. His warmth, openness, and curiosity about the local footballing culture were deeply appreciated.

For Shrinivas Dempo, a long-time supporter and contributor to Indian football, this meeting carried both personal and professional meaning. Representing Goa and India’s aspirations in the sport was a responsibility he embraced with pride.

Today, the memory of that evening remains vivid — and even more special as President Infantino himself continues to share it. It’s a lasting reminder that beyond stadiums and trophies, football is about connections, conversations, and moments that stay with us.

Events in Goa

Goa CM Inaugurates Future Leaders Week 2025 on World Entrepreneurs’ Day


PANAJI: Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant inaugurated the much-anticipated Future Leaders Week 2025 on World Entrepreneurs’ Day, an event organized by BNI Goa’s Business Voices to celebrate and nurture the spirit of entrepreneurship.

The event, held in Goa, was attended by prominent business leaders including Shri Shrinivas Dempo (Chairman, Dempo Group), Shri Rajkumar Kamat, and other dignitaries, who shared their vision on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurial growth.

In his inaugural address, CM Dr. Sawant emphasized the importance of empowering the youth with opportunities in entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. He highlighted how Goa is positioning itself as a hub for startups and business initiatives, aligning with India’s larger vision of fostering a self-reliant economy.

Shri Shrinivas Dempo lauded the efforts of BNI Goa and Business Voices in creating platforms that connect aspiring leaders with experienced industry mentors. Shri Rajkumar Kamat echoed similar sentiments, underlining the role of collaboration and networking in building sustainable businesses.

Future Leaders Week 2025 is designed to bring together entrepreneurs, business professionals, and students through workshops, panel discussions, and networking sessions, creating an ecosystem where ideas and innovation can thrive.

The event sets the tone for Goa’s growing entrepreneurial landscape, inspiring young minds to step forward as change-makers and leaders of tomorrow.

National

Invitation Extended to PM Modi for 550th Anniversary of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partgali Jivottam Math


A delegation from Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partgali Jivottam Math, Canacona, had the honour of calling on Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in New Delhi to formally extend a warm invitation to the Math’s upcoming 550th Anniversary celebrations.

The delegation included Shri Shrinivas Dempo, President, and Shri R.R. Kamath, Vice President of the Math, who were proud to represent this ancient institution rooted in the Dvaita Vedanta tradition of Jagadguru Madhvacharya. The Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partgali Jivottam Math, established in the 13th century, has been a vital pillar of spiritual guidance, cultural preservation, and community service for centuries in Goa and beyond.

The 550th Anniversary marks a significant milestone not just in the history of the Math, but in the broader spiritual and cultural narrative of India. The Math continues to play a critical role in upholding the values and teachings of the Dvaita school of thought, and its anniversary celebrations are poised to attract devotees, scholars, and well-wishers from across the country.

The meeting with Prime Minister Modi was a moment of pride and gratitude. The Prime Minister was gracious in receiving the invitation and expressed his encouragement and support for the historic occasion. His blessings and recognition of the Math’s contribution to India’s spiritual and cultural legacy were deeply appreciated by the delegation.

This engagement further strengthens the commitment to celebrate the rich heritage of Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partgali Jivottam Math on a national platform and ensure that the 550th Anniversary becomes a momentous and memorable event in the spiritual calendar of the nation.

Business

GCCI and Goa College of Engineering Sign MoU to Foster Industry-Academia Collaboration


Panaji, Goa | June 30, 2025 — In a strategic initiative to align academic learning with real-world industry demands, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Goa College of Engineering (GEC), Farmagudi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 30, 2025. The MoU marks a milestone in strengthening Goa’s innovation ecosystem through deeper collaboration between education and enterprise.

The formal signing ceremony took place in the presence of key dignitaries from both institutions. Mr. Shrinivas V. Dempo, President of GCCI, and Dr. Krupashankara M. S., Principal of GEC, signed the MoU. Other dignitaries present included Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI; Dr. Suraj S. Rane, Professor, Mechanical Engineering, GEC; Ms. Pratima Dhond, President-Elect, GCCI; Mr. Rohan Bhandare, Hon. Treasurer, GCCI; and Ms. Ambika Dhakhenkar, Deputy Director, GCCI.


Key Objectives of the MoU Include:

  • Curriculum Modernization: Aligning GEC’s academic curriculum with evolving industry needs to enhance employability.
  • Skill Development & Training: Facilitating training programs, internships, and industry-specific workshops.
  • Innovation & Research: Supporting student-led innovation, entrepreneurship initiatives, and collaborative research projects.
  • Expert Engagement: Organizing industry talks, field visits, seminars, and placement-focused sessions.
  • Infrastructure Support: Setting up industry-sponsored labs to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
  • Consultancy & Projects: Offering technical consultancy and enabling real-world project exposure for students.

Mr. Shrinivas Dempo, President of GCCI, emphasized the vision behind the initiative:

“This partnership is a forward-looking step that reflects GCCI’s commitment to nurturing talent, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Goa. We are delighted to collaborate with one of Goa’s premier engineering institutions.”

Dr. Krupashankara M. S., Principal of GEC, expressed his enthusiasm:

“This MoU allows our students to gain enhanced exposure to real-world industry challenges. We aim to bridge the divide between theoretical learning and practical application.”

The MoU will remain in effect for a period of five years, during which both institutions will jointly undertake strategic initiatives to drive innovation, research, and skill development across Goa.

With this collaboration, GCCI and GEC reaffirm their shared vision of creating a future-ready workforce, empowered by knowledge, practical experience, and entrepreneurial spirit.