Tag: sports Goa

Sports

Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 Records All-Time High with 555 Entries in 11th Edition

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Registrations for the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 have officially closed, with the tournament recording a record-breaking 555 entries ahead of its 11th edition, marking a significant milestone in its journey as one of Goa’s most prominent tennis events. Scheduled to be held from January 22 to February 1 at the iconic Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias in Miramar, the tournament continues to draw players across age groups and competitive levels.

Jointly organised by Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias and the Gadre Group in association with the Goa State Tennis Association, the tournament has once again witnessed strong participation across the Open, Junior and Masters categories. The 2026 edition is also notable for the introduction of the ladies’ doubles category for the first time, adding a new dimension to the competition.

The Open men’s singles category has attracted the highest participation with 111 entries, while the Open men’s doubles event has seen 37 pairs register. The Open ladies’ singles category has drawn 32 entries, with 14 pairs competing in the newly introduced ladies’ doubles. The Open mixed doubles segment has recorded 18 teams.

Junior participation has remained encouraging, with 25 players in the boys’ under-16 category and 14 in the girls’ under-16 event. In the under-12 division, 14 boys and five girls have registered, reflecting steady grassroots engagement in the sport.

The Masters segment has also recorded strong numbers, led by 70 entries in the 45+ men’s singles category, followed by 42 entries in the 60+ men’s singles and 30 entries in the 55+ men’s singles. In doubles, the 90+ men’s doubles category has emerged as the most subscribed with 60 teams, while the 110+ and 120+ doubles categories have recorded 43 and 32 teams respectively. The 35+ mixed doubles event has attracted eight teams.

Speaking on the occasion, Tanmay Kholkar, Secretary of Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, said the tournament holds special significance this year as it coincides with the centenary celebrations of the club. Goa State Tennis Association President Sameer Kakodkar noted that the rising participation reflects the growing confidence players have in the tournament as a reliable and competitive platform across age groups.

Arjun Gadre of the Gadre Group expressed satisfaction at the sustained interest in the event, stating that the continued growth of the tournament reinforces its relevance within Goa’s sporting landscape. With matches spread over eleven days, the Gadre Gaspar Dias Open 2026 is expected to deliver high-quality competition and continue its legacy as one of the most keenly followed tennis tournaments in the state.

Sports

Goa Beat Assam by 3 Wickets in Men’s U-23 State ‘A’ Trophy

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa registered a commanding three-wicket win over Assam in the Men’s Under-23 State ‘A’ Trophy Elite One-Day Tournament, held at the Kotambi Stadium ‘B’ in Vadodara on Tuesday. With this victory, Goa strengthened their position in the Elite ‘B’ Group standings, collecting four points from two matches.

Winning the toss, Goa elected to bowl first and made full use of the conditions. Assam’s innings saw several starts but lacked a defining partnership. Roshan Topno top-scored with 53 runs, while Mayukh Hazarika (37), Sumit Kashyap (32), and Rohit Sen (31) offered useful contributions. Goa’s bowlers maintained consistent pressure, with Anuj Yadav producing a standout performance, taking four wickets for just 22 runs. He received excellent support from Kutbudin Jamadar, who claimed three wickets for 26 runs. Lakhmesh Pawne, Kaustubh Pingulkar, and Manish Kakode chipped in with one wicket each as Assam were bowled out for 215 in 42.4 overs.

Chasing 216, Goa’s innings got off to a steady start before a 102-run partnership between Sanath Nevagi and Chittem Jeevankumar changed the course of the match. Sanath continued his remarkable form, scoring a fluent 85 off 63 balls, laced with nine fours and five sixes. Having narrowly missed a century in the previous match, he once again fell short of the milestone but set up the chase perfectly. Jeevankumar played the anchor role initially before accelerating to 71 off 90 balls, striking six boundaries and two sixes.

Despite losing a few wickets in the middle overs, Goa maintained composure. Shivendra Bhujbal (14 not out) and Anuj Yadav (2 not out) ensured no further setbacks, guiding Goa to 216 for 7 in 38.5 overs and sealing victory with 67 balls remaining.

With this win, Goa now have four points from two games and continue to look strong in the Elite ‘B’ Group. Their next fixture is against Gujarat at the Motibaug Ground in Vadodara on Thursday, November 13.

Sports

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

Tanisha Cardozo

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

Thrilling Start to PGML Season 5 as Auction Sparks Intense Bidding Battles

Tanisha Cardozo

The much-anticipated player auction for the Panjim Gymkhana Members League (PGML) Season 5 concluded on Sunday at the Panjim Gymkhana’s Raythata Hall, Campal, setting the stage for another thrilling edition of Goa’s most popular members’ cricket league. The event drew enthusiastic participation from all franchise owners, with bidding battles that reflected both strategic acumen and fierce passion for the sport.

This season will see eight franchises compete for glory, including six returning teams—Baale Tigers, Manas Mavericks, Dempo Challengers, RC Goa, Priority Titans, and DNM Avengers—joined by two debutants, Sherwin Shaw Falcons and Sun Estate Warriors. The excitement peaked when Harshad Gadekar became the most expensive player in PGML history, going to Sun Estate Warriors for a record 85 lakh points. Close on his heels, speedster Lakshay Garg was snapped up by Baale Tigers for 82 lakh points. All-rounders Mukhtar Kadri and Robin D’Souza also commanded strong interest, each fetching 79 lakh points for DNM Avengers and Priority Titans respectively, while Avishkar Mone joined Manas Mavericks for 67 lakh points to further bolster their squad.

The event also featured the grand unveiling of team jerseys, adding to the electric atmosphere as players and owners celebrated the beginning of what promises to be a fiercely competitive and entertaining season. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Manoj Caculo, President of Panjim Gymkhana, commended the growing stature of the league. He praised the vision of league chairman Suresh Mahadevan and the commitment of all teams in building a strong cricketing community. “It is a matter of great pride to stand before you as we enter the fifth season of PGML. Under the leadership of Suresh Mahadevan, the league has seen four successful editions, and this fifth promises to be a true carnival of cricket,” he said.

The champions of PGML Season 5 will receive a cash prize of ₹3 lakh, while the runners-up will take home ₹2 lakh. Individual awards worth ₹15,000 each will be presented for Best Player, Best Batsman, Best Bowler, and Best Fielder. Every match will feature a ₹5,000 Man of the Match award, with bowlers earning an additional ₹10,000 bonus for taking four or more wickets in an innings.

Panjim Gymkhana Secretary Mr. Rajesh Khaunte expressed gratitude to the teams and the community for their unwavering enthusiasm, emphasizing that PGML represents more than competition—it embodies camaraderie, sportsmanship, and the joy of cricket.

Adding a proud chapter to this season’s narrative, eight promising cricketers from the Panjim Gymkhana Cricket Academy, coached by Sandeep Siganapurkar, were drafted across teams—offering them invaluable exposure to competitive cricket. Among them, 15-year-old Arya Amitkumar Dublay created history by becoming the only female cricketer in PGML 5.0 after being picked by RC Goa. Her inclusion marks a significant milestone, celebrating inclusivity and inspiring young athletes across Goa.

With over 140 registered players and growing fan engagement, PGML Season 5 continues to strengthen its reputation as a premier sporting event on Goa’s calendar, blending passion, professionalism, and the timeless love of the game.

Sports

Goa Sub-Junior Football Team Departs for National Tournament in Amritsar

allycaralgoa

Amritsar, Punjab: Goa’s 20-member Sub-Junior Football team has set off for Amritsar to participate in the national football tournament, marking a significant opportunity for young players to showcase their talent on a national stage.

The team departed Mopa Airport at 2:55 am on October 25, accompanied by Head Coach Ramesh, Assistant Coach Eddie Phisio Suraj, and Manager Cosme Oliveira. Before boarding, the players, coaching staff, and their families attended a Mass at St. Joaquim Chapel in Borda, celebrated by Fr. Dylan D’Costa, Chaplain of Borda, invoking blessings for their journey and success in the tournament.

Goa’s first match is scheduled against Haryana on October 28, followed by matches on October 30 and November 1 against other teams in the group stage, including Kerala and Punjab. The tournament promises competitive fixtures and offers a platform for Goa’s budding footballers to gain national exposure and experience high-level competition.

This journey not only highlights Goa’s dedication to youth sports development but also demonstrates the support system of families, coaches, and local communities in nurturing future sports talent. Fans and sports enthusiasts from Goa are eagerly awaiting updates as the team aims to make a mark at the national level.