Tag: Table Tennis

Sports

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

Tanisha Cardozo

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

Tanisha Cardozo

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.

Sports

Trailblazing Legends Set to Shine at She Paddle 2025 – India’s First International Masters Women’s TT Tournament in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

From September 5th to 7th, 2025, the scenic Aralia Beach Resort in Morjim, Goa, will become the epicentre of a historic sporting moment as India hosts She Paddle 2025 – the country’s first-ever International Masters Women’s Table Tennis Tournament.

This groundbreaking event brings together some of the most decorated names in Indian and global table tennis:

  • 🏆 Mantu Murmur – Reigning World Champion in the 60+ category
  • 🥇 Rita Jain – Commonwealth Games Medalist, National & Masters Champion
  • 🥈 Mangal Saraf – World Championship Silver Medalist & 8-time Masters National Champion

With participation expected from 50 to 100 players across India and abroad (including representation from Romania 🇷🇴), She Paddle 2025 offers a total prize purse of ₹1.25 lakhs, prestigious trophies, and team as well as individual competitions across 40+, 50+, and 60+ categories.

More than just a tournament, She Paddle is a movement – a powerful celebration of women’s sporting journeys and the undying spirit of athleticism, regardless of age.

A Historic Literary Launch – Smash Her Story

The tournament finale will witness the global unveiling of Smash Her Story – a first-of-its-kind book documenting the stories of 32 Indian Women National Champions from 1947 to 2024. Authored by Shamik Chakrabarty and Dileep Premachandran, and endorsed by ITTF President Petra Sörling, the book was conceptualised under the guidance of Boria Majumder.

The event has been co-created by sporting stalwarts and champions themselves:

  • Moonmoon Mukherjee – Former TT International, Founder of P3 Sports
  • Deepa Jain – Masters Champion, Designer & Co-Founder, Champion Charms
  • Shilpa Joshi Takalkar – Former International & Award-winning Champion
  • Deepak Gopani – Founder Secretary, Goa Veterans TT Association

Dignitaries & Guests

The tournament will also host renowned figures including:

  • Kamlesh Mehta – 8-time National Champion, Arjuna Awardee
  • Pooja Bedi – Actor & Wellness Coach
  • Dr. Geeta Nagvenkar – Executive Director, Sports Authority of India
  • Niraj Bajaj – Chairman, Bajaj Group (Event Sponsor)
  • Goa TTA Officials and State Government dignitaries

With the announcement that She Paddle 2026 will be hosted in Bucharest, Romania, the event takes its place on the global sporting calendar, amplifying India’s growing presence in Masters-level sports.

“It’s not just a tournament; it’s a tribute to passion, perseverance, and pride,” said Moonmoon Mukherjee, one of the visionaries behind She Paddle.

For sports lovers, fans of table tennis, and advocates of women’s empowerment, She Paddle 2025 is a must-watch moment in Indian sporting history.

#AllycaralFeature 👒, Goan Personalities

Meet Nishad Shevde: The Tennis Enthusiast Making Waves in Goa

allycaralgoa

Nishad Shevde, a passionate tennis coach and player, is making a significant impact on Goa’s sports scene. With his SS Tennis Academy, he’s nurturing young talent and promoting a love for tennis among people of all ages.

Nishad’s love affair with tennis began when his father introduced him to the sport. He was fascinated by the game and spent hours watching tennis matches on TV, especially Wimbledon. As he grew older, Nishad’s passion for tennis only intensified, and he began participating in local tournaments.

Nishad believes in teaching proper techniques while ensuring his students have fun playing the game. He incorporates fitness into their training to prepare them for advanced levels. His approach is tailored to different age groups and skill levels, from young kids to recreational and competitive players.

Several students from SS Tennis Academy have achieved notable success, including:

  • Ethan de Ataide, winner of the Gadre Gaspar Open U-12 and Baale BPS Open U-10
  • Vivaan Agrawal, runner-up in the Panjim Gymkhana U-14
  • Adianta Devaraya and Kaivalya Devaraya, who are playing in All India Tennis Association (AITA) tournaments
  • Shaurya Verlekar, runner-up in the Gadre Gaspar Open U-12
  • Tvisha Sardesai, runner-up in the Baale BPS Open and one of the top female players in Goa

Nishad is also passionate about other sports, including football, cricket, and table tennis. He believes that passion and perseverance are essential for balancing multiple interests and pursuits. Nishad has represented Goa in table tennis tournaments and has won several titles.

Nishad is an advocate for pickleball, having introduced the sport in Goa. He sees immense potential for emerging sports like pickleball and believes they will play a significant role in shaping India’s sports landscape. Nishad has competed in national-level pickleball tournaments and has won the prestigious Triple Crown.

Nishad’s message to everyone is: “Don’t be limited in a world full of limitless opportunities.” He believes that with hard work, dedication, and passion, anyone can achieve their goals.

Nishad Shevde is a tennis coach and player from Goa. He is the founder of SS Tennis Academy and has represented Goa in various tennis tournaments. Nishad is also passionate about other sports, including football, cricket, and table tennis.