Sports

Tanaya Naik to Lead Goa in Women’s U-23 One Day Trophy


Panaji: Goa’s women’s cricket continues to gain momentum as Tanaya Naik has been appointed captain of the state’s Under-23 team for the upcoming Women’s U-23 One Day Trophy 2025–26. The tournament will be held in Dehradun from March 3 to March 11, bringing together some of the most promising young cricketers from across the country.

Goa has been placed in Group E and will play five league matches in the competition. The team will begin its campaign against Hyderabad on March 3, followed by fixtures against Saurashtra (March 5), Chandigarh (March 7), Andhra (March 9), and Delhi (March 11).

The squad features a blend of emerging talent and consistent performers who have been making steady progress in domestic cricket. Leading the side, Tanaya Naik will shoulder the responsibility of guiding the team through a competitive tournament and setting the tone with both leadership and performance.

Squad:
Tanaya Naik (Captain), Harshita Yadav, Urvashi Govekar, Tanisha Gaikawad, Pooja Kalel, Presha Naik, Palak Arondekar, Savali Kolambkar, Metali Gawander, Nirmiti Khanvilkar, Vidika Sawant, Swarali Kasar, Siddhi Savase, Kimya Desai, Harshada Kadam, Mrunmayee Bhike, Shilpa Sharma.

With increasing focus on women’s cricket across India, tournaments like the Women’s U-23 One Day Trophy provide a crucial platform for young players to showcase their abilities and push for higher honours. For Goa, this tournament represents not just participation, but an opportunity to make a strong statement on the national stage.

As the team heads into the competition, expectations will be high, and all eyes will be on how these rising stars perform against some of the best young talent in Indian cricket.

Sports

Manu Bhaker Wins Silver at Asian Shooting Championships, Esha Singh Claims Bronze


Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

India’s shooting star Manu Bhaker continued her strong run on the international stage by clinching the silver medal in the women’s 25m pistol event at the Asian Shooting Championships. Bhaker narrowly missed out on gold after losing a closely contested shoot-off against Vietnam’s Nguyen in the final.
Despite the tough finish, Bhaker’s performance marked a confident return to the podium, reaffirming her status as one of India’s most dependable shooters in pistol events. The final witnessed intense competition, with fine margins separating the medalists.
Adding to India’s success, Esha Singh delivered a composed performance to secure the bronze medal in the same event. Her podium finish further strengthened India’s medal haul at the championships and highlighted the depth of talent in the country’s shooting contingent.
The results underline India’s growing consistency in shooting at the Asian level, with athletes continuing to deliver strong performances across categories.

Sports

Goa Tourism Inspires the Next Generation of Cricketers through World Legends Pro T20 League Trophy Tour


Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 2, 2026: In a bid to inspire young talent and promote inclusive participation in sports, the Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, in association with the World Legends Pro T20 League, organised a Trophy Tour and Player Interaction at the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) Ground in Porvorim.


The initiative aimed to motivate youth and women to actively engage in sports by offering meaningful interaction with legendary cricketers while highlighting the unifying power of sport. Aspiring sportspersons, students, and cricket enthusiasts gathered for an evening filled with inspiration, learning, and celebration.

The programme featured an interactive Q&A session where participants gained insights into the journeys, challenges, and experiences of professional cricketers. To further boost engagement, a fun quiz segment was conducted, with official merchandise and match tickets awarded to winners. The event concluded with a photo session, allowing attendees to capture memorable moments with the players and the World Legends Pro T20 League trophy.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte highlighted the transformative role of sports, stating that sports inspire confidence, resilience, leadership, and values such as teamwork, discipline, and inclusivity. He reaffirmed Goa’s commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for participation across all sections of society.

The event began with a warm welcome by the emcee, setting an inclusive and engaging tone for the evening. The Trophy Tour and Player Interaction formed part of the lead-up to the World Legends Pro T20 League matches in Goa and reflected the Department of Tourism’s continued efforts to promote sports tourism while fostering empowering community-driven experiences.

EduConnect

Vedanta Sesa Goa Champions Girl Child Empowerment and Education Through Student Engagement Initiatives


Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Vedanta Sesa Goa, one of India’s most established mining companies with a seven-decade legacy in Goa, observed National Girl Child Day and the International Day of Education by conducting meaningful student-centric programmes at Shri Mahamaya High School, Maem. The initiative reflected the company’s continued focus on empowering girls and promoting holistic educational development among young learners.


As part of the engagement, students interacted with Ms. Simran Narvekar, a player from the Sesa Football Academy, who shared her personal journey in sports. Her story of perseverance and self-belief served as a source of motivation, especially for girl students, encouraging them to pursue their aspirations with confidence, resilience, and determination.

The session was followed by an interactive quiz competition, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and enthusiasm for learning in a lively and engaging environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Navin Jaju, CEO of Vedanta Sesa Goa, said that the company remains committed to empowering the nation’s future through inclusive education, skills development, and equal opportunities. He highlighted initiatives such as Project Vriddhi, Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarships, the Sesa Technical School, and the Sesa Football Academy as key platforms enabling youth—especially young girls—to realise their potential and aspirations, while contributing to the vision of a developed India.

Suman Gaonkar, Principal of Shri Mahamaya High School, expressed her appreciation for the initiative, noting that the interaction with Ms. Narvekar was highly motivating for students, while the quiz encouraged active participation and critical thinking. She added that such engagements play a significant role in building confidence and supporting the overall growth of children.

In a parallel educational initiative, students and teachers from Holy Cross High School, Siolim–Bardez, visited the Sesa Technical School and the Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines. The exposure visit offered valuable insights into vocational and technical education pathways, along with sustainable mining and land reclamation practices, enriching the participants’ academic understanding.

Through continued engagement with schools and educational institutions, Vedanta Sesa Goa remains focused on fostering learning, inclusion, and youth empowerment. These initiatives underline the company’s commitment to creating enabling environments that encourage education, confidence, and positive social impact across communities.

Social

Bicholim Free Legal Aid Cell Organises Successful Jan Seva Camp at Sal Village Panchayat


Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

The Bicholim Free Legal Aid Cell successfully organised a one-day “Jan Seva Camp” at the Village Panchayat Hall, Sal, Goa, providing a range of essential public services to local residents. The initiative witnessed active participation from the community, with over 80 residents availing benefits during the camp.


The camp offered assistance for several key services, including Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) registration, Aadhaar card correction, and ABHA card issuance. In addition, citizens received support for online residence certificates, divergence certificates, DDSSY card renewal, PAN card services, and drafting of affidavits, among others.

The programme was conducted under the guidance of Faculty In-charge, Assistant Professor Rhucha Garde, and coordinated efficiently by students-in-charge Miss Diya Deulkar and Miss Maithili Gawas. The camp also received support from Sarpanch Mrs. Neeta Raut, whose presence added to the smooth conduct of the event.

The Jan Seva Camp served as an effective platform to bring government schemes and legal assistance closer to the people, reaffirming the Free Legal Aid Cell’s commitment to community service and access to justice at the grassroots level.