Tag: Sports News

Sports

Ryan Williams Becomes Indian Citizen: A New Chapter in Indian Football History

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By Allycaral Desk

In a landmark development for Indian football, former Australian winger Ryan Williams has officially received Indian citizenship — a move that signals the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) intent to include Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) in the country’s football ecosystem.

The special moment unfolded in Bengaluru, where Williams’ Bengaluru FC teammate and Indian football legend Sunil Chhetri handed him his newly issued Indian passport. The heartwarming handover, filled with smiles and camaraderie, was captured on camera and quickly went viral across social media.

Ryan Williams, who has previously played in the English Championship and the A-League, joined Bengaluru FC earlier this year. His decision to take up Indian citizenship has been widely lauded by fans and sports experts as a potential game-changer for Indian football, both in terms of global exposure and skill development.

Speaking about the milestone, Williams expressed gratitude, saying, “I’m proud to call India my home. This country has given me so much, and I’m excited to give back on the field wearing the Indian colours.”

With this step, the AIFF is moving closer to integrating talented players of Indian origin and OCI holders into the national setup — a long-discussed reform that could elevate India’s footballing standards on the global stage.

The handover by Sunil Chhetri, India’s most celebrated footballer, symbolized the passing of both pride and responsibility. As fans celebrated online, it became clear that this moment was not just about citizenship — but about belonging, unity, and a bold vision for India’s sporting future.

Stay tuned to allycaral.com for more updates on Indian sports, lifestyle, and inspiring stories that connect the globe. 🌍⚽

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

“I Have Cried Almost Every Day”: Jemimah Rodrigues’ Emotional Ton Leads India to Historic Women’s World Cup Final

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In a night that will be remembered for years in Indian cricket history, Jemimah Rodrigues produced a performance of a lifetime, guiding India to the Women’s World Cup Final with a record-breaking chase against defending champions Australia at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.

Chasing a mammoth 339-run target, India reached 341/5 in just 48.3 overs, powered by Rodrigues’ magnificent 127 off 134 balls*, an innings laced with 14 boundaries and pure determination.

Partnering with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (89), Rodrigues stitched together a vital 167-run stand, turning what seemed like a daunting chase into a moment of national pride. Her maiden World Cup century came off 115 balls, and her celebration reflected not just relief but deep emotion.

After the match, an overwhelmed Jemimah said,

“I have cried almost every day during this tournament. To come back and perform for my country when it mattered most — it feels surreal.”

Rodrigues’ journey to this moment wasn’t easy. Having struggled for form in the early stages of the tournament — and even being dropped for one match — she returned stronger, displaying her trademark grit and class.

The Mumbai batter’s heroics, alongside consistent leadership from Harmanpreet, helped India rewrite history — completing the highest successful run chase in Women’s World Cup history.

As the final whistle blew, fans erupted into chants of “India, India” under the floodlights of Navi Mumbai, celebrating not just a victory, but a story of resilience, faith, and redemption.

With this win, India booked their spot in the World Cup final, and Jemimah Rodrigues cemented her place as one of the brightest stars in world cricket.

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Read the full story on www.allycaral.com

Sports

Lionel Messi’s Kerala Visit Postponed; Argentina to Play Friendly in Angola Instead

Tanisha Cardozo

Lionel Messi’s long-awaited return to India has been postponed, according to an official announcement by the Argentine Football Association (AFA). The world champions were expected to play a friendly match against Australia in Kochi, Kerala, on November 17. However, the AFA confirmed that the fixture has been postponed due to delays in FIFA permissions and logistical challenges in Kerala’s preparations. Instead, the Argentine team, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, will travel to Spain for training before heading to Luanda to play their only friendly match against Angola on November 14. Following the match, the squad will return to Europe for further training sessions until November 18, coinciding with the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup.

Anto Augustine, the event sponsor working alongside the Kerala Sports Ministry, shared on Facebook that the match had to be postponed after discussions with the AFA, citing procedural delays and scheduling constraints. Reports from Argentine media suggest that Kerala’s lack of readiness to host the team within the set timeline was also a key reason behind the decision. The match is now expected to be rescheduled for March 2026.

Kerala Sports Minister V. Abdurahiman revealed that Messi was even willing to visit the state independently, but the government insisted on hosting the full national squad together. The postponement has sparked political debate in Kerala, with Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan criticizing the state government for using Messi’s planned arrival for political mileage, stating that they should now take responsibility for his absence.

Lionel Messi’s last and only visit to India came in 2011, when he captained Argentina in a friendly match against Venezuela at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, where Argentina won 1-0. The excitement around his potential Kerala visit had generated immense anticipation among fans, and despite the postponement, football enthusiasts remain hopeful that Messi and the Argentine team will finally play on Indian soil in 2026.

Sports

Super Cup 2025 Broadcast Update: All Matches Live from Goa! ⚽🇮🇳

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Goa | October 2025: The Super Cup 2025 is set to light up Goa with thrilling football action, and fans across India can catch every match live from the comfort of their homes.

Organized by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), this year’s tournament brings together top clubs from across the country in a showcase of high-energy football and regional pride.

Here’s how you can tune in:

  • 🏟️ Fatorda Stadium, Margao: All matches will be broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed on JioCinema for digital viewers.
  • 🏟️ Bambolim Stadium: Matches will be streamed free on YouTube, making football accessible to everyone.

The dual broadcast setup ensures that fans won’t miss a single minute of on-field drama — from nail-biting penalty shootouts to spectacular goals.

Goa, known for its passionate football culture and vibrant fan base, once again becomes the heart of Indian football as the Super Cup returns. Local supporters are expected to turn out in large numbers, adding to the electric atmosphere at both stadiums.

The tournament serves as a crucial platform for emerging talent and offers fans a preview of the rising stars who could soon shine in the Indian Super League (ISL) and national squad.

So, whether you’re watching from home or cheering from the stands — Goa is where the action begins!

📺 Watch Live:

  • Star Sports | JioCinema | YouTube (Free)

Stay tuned for match highlights, team updates, and exclusive coverage on allycaral.com

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