Tag: Sports Authority of India

Sports

Asmita Khelo India Tennis Ball Cricket Women League 2025 Set to Inspire Goa’s Young Athletes

Tanisha Cardozo

The Asmita Khelo India Women Tennis Ball Cricket League 2025 is set to bring the excitement of women’s cricket to Goa on 15th November 2025. The event will take place at the Panchayat Ground, Kundaim, Ponda, marking a celebration of women’s strength, teamwork, and passion for the sport.

Organized by the Goa Tennis Ball Cricket Association in collaboration with the Tennis Ball Cricket Federation of India (TBCFI) under the Khelo India Scheme of the Sports Authority of India, this tournament stands as a testament to India’s growing commitment to supporting women athletes at all levels.

The league will feature 12 women’s club teams from across Goa, totaling 168 athletes, each representing the spirit of dedication and sportsmanship. The event aims to inspire young girls to take up sports, fostering a culture of fitness, confidence, and empowerment through cricket.

The matches will begin at 9:00 a.m., with Dr. Gangadariah, Vice President of TBCFI, serving as the official observer. Two umpires deputed by the Federation will oversee the games, ensuring fair play and professional standards throughout the tournament.

Beyond the thrill of competition, the league carries a deeper purpose — to highlight the role of women in Indian sports and encourage more participation at the grassroots level. The winning team will be honored with cash prizes, trophies, and attractive individual awards, recognizing both teamwork and individual excellence.

The Asmita Khelo India Women Tennis Ball Cricket League 2025 promises to be more than a tournament—it’s a celebration of women’s resilience, community spirit, and the future of Indian cricket.

Sports

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Announces Selection Criteria for Asian Games 2026 Participation

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has unveiled the official selection criteria for the participation of individuals and teams in the Asian Games 2026 and other multi-sports events. This new framework aims to create a transparent and equitable process to ensure that only athletes with a genuine chance of winning medals are considered for selection, thereby enhancing India’s competitive edge in international sports.

The criteria cover both measurable and non-measurable sports events, providing clear benchmarks for athlete and team eligibility. For measurable individual sports and events, athletes must have matched or bettered the performance of the 6th place finisher from the last Asian Games at recognized international competitions held within 12 months before the upcoming Games. If a sport or event was not part of the last Asian Games, the standards will refer to the Senior Asian Championships held within the same timeframe.

For non-measurable individual sports, athletes must have achieved a top-6 finish in the most recent Senior Asian Championships or hold a world ranking within the top 6 among Asian nations in their event. In cases where no recent championships or rankings exist, equivalent international competitions will be considered.

Team sports and team events will be eligible for selection if the team has secured a top-8 finish in the last Senior Asian Championships or is ranked within the top 8 in Asian countries based on international rankings. If such rankings or championships are unavailable, performance in equivalent international competitions will be used as a benchmark.

The Ministry has also included a relaxation clause, which allows for discretion in selecting individuals or teams when justified by expert opinions or recommendations from the Sports Authority of India (SAI). However, participation solely for the sake of presence without aiming for excellence will not be approved. The Ministry also cautions against irregular scheduling of qualifying competitions to circumvent the rules and will not approve participation if such practices compromise competitive standards.

Additionally, the selection criteria specify that only those sportspersons, coaches, and support staff who are cleared at government cost will be included in the contingent. No additional members will be added, even if they do not incur government expenditure.

This rigorous selection framework is intended to focus resources on high-performing athletes and teams, promoting excellence and better medal prospects for India at the Asian Games 2026 and other major multi-sport events. It reflects the Ministry’s commitment to supporting a merit-based system and enhancing India’s stature in international sports.

Sports

Goa’s Judoka Star Purti Lotlikar Joins SAI National Centre of Excellence in Bhopal

allycaralgoa

Panaji, July 4, 2025: Goa continues to shine in India’s sporting landscape as Miss Purti Amey Lotlikar, a promising young judoka from Bandora, Ponda, earns a coveted spot at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

This selection places her among India’s most promising young athletes preparing for future Olympic and international competitions, under the elite mentorship of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.

🎖️ From Local Roots to National Spotlight

Born on October 20, 2009, Purti has shown exceptional skill and discipline in the 40 kg weight category. Her journey began at age 11 under the coaching of Shri Aditya Kankonkar, an international judo player and mentor at Bandora Judo Center, Nageshi, Ponda.

Her remarkable progress led to medal-winning performances at:

  • 🥈 Khelo India Youth Games 2024 (Kerala)
  • 🥇 Cadet Nationals 2025 (Pune)

These achievements drew the attention of national selectors and secured her a spot among 45 top judokas from across India to train at SAI Bhopal.

👏 A Collective Effort

Purti’s success is the result of both talent and unwavering support. Her parents, Smt. Arya and Shri Amey Lotlikar, have stood by her since the beginning. The Goa Judo Association, led by President Girish Pednekar and Secretary Kripesh Vengurlekar, also played a key role in providing platforms for her development.

“Purti’s selection is a proud moment for all of Goa,” said Pednekar and Vengurlekar in a joint statement. “It shows that with the right training and support, Goan athletes can reach national and international levels.”

🌍 Eyes on the Global Stage

With access to top-tier facilities, coaching, and national-level exposure at SAI NCOE Bhopal, Purti is now on a path toward representing India on the global judo stage. Her selection is not only a personal triumph but also an inspiring milestone for the state of Goa and young sportswomen across India.

This is just the beginning for Purti Lotlikar—and all eyes will be on her as she climbs toward sporting greatness.