Tag: Women In Sports

Sports

AGDBYA’s 8th Daivadnya Cricket Cup 2026 Concludes Successfully at Fatorda

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Fatorda, January 2026: The 8th edition of the Akhil Gomantakiya Daivadnya Brahmin Youth Association’s (AGDBYA) Daivadnya Cricket Cup 2026 was held on January 17 and 18, 2026, at the S.A.G Ground, Fatorda, witnessing enthusiastic participation from across Goa.


The concluding ceremony was attended by Dr. Geeta Nagvenkar, Member Secretary of the Goa State Pollution Control Board, as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Chitra D. Lotlikar, a General Medicine Practitioner, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.

During the ceremony, national weightlifting champion Miss Sakshi Haldankar was felicitated with the Daivadnya Sports Achiever Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements in sports.

A total of 17 teams from across Goa participated in the tournament, including two women’s teams and two kids’ teams, highlighting the inclusive nature of the event. AGDBYA President Smt. Seema Rohit Vernekar welcomed the guests and dignitaries and briefed the gathering on the association’s various sporting initiatives, social activities and community service programmes conducted throughout the year.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Dr. Geeta Nagvenkar appreciated AGDBYA for organising the tournament in a professional manner and lauded the association’s efforts in promoting sports and community engagement. She also thanked the organisers for inviting her to be part of the concluding ceremony.

The grand prize distribution ceremony, attended by over 200 people, saw winning teams, runners-up and individual performers being felicitated with trophies and awards.

Prize Winners:

Men’s Winners: Shree Bodgeshwar

Men’s Runners-up: Vernekar Warriors

Man of the Series: Amrut Verlekar

Best Batsman: Amrut Verlekar

Best Bowler: Siddhesh Vernekar

Man of the Match (Final): Atharv Verlekar

Best Catch: Mahendra Karekar

Maximum Sixes: Amrut Verlekar

Emerging Player: Sahil Verlekar

Women’s Winners: Super Strikers

Women’s Runners-up: Dakshin Warriors

Player of the Match (Women’s): Nishita Pednekar

Kids’ Winners: Royal 11


The programme was compered by Miss Aishani Lotlikar and Dr. Rajvi Lotlikar, while Mrs. Sampada Nagvekar, Secretary of AGDBYA, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the guests, participants and organisers for making the event a grand success.

Sports

Rajashree Pednekar Creates History at Inter-College Powerlifting Championship

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Panaji/Taleigao, January 2026: Rajashree Pednekar, a final-year MCom student of DCT’s Srinivassa Sinai Dempo College, delivered a historic performance at the Inter-College Powerlifting Championship 2025–26, organised by Goa University at its Silver Jubilee Hall, Taleigao, from January 14 to 16, 2026.



Competing in the 57 kg weight category, Rajashree not only secured the gold medal but also set a new championship record by lifting a combined total of 307 kg across the three powerlifting disciplines — Squats, Bench Press and Deadlift.

Her exceptional performance continued to shine on the final day of the championship, where she was declared the ‘Strongest Woman of Goa University’, emerging on top among 98 participants representing various colleges across Goa and competing in eight different weight categories.

The achievement was lauded by the Principal of S. S. Dempo College, Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Kamat, who congratulated and felicitated Rajashree for her remarkable feat. He assured her of the institution’s full support in pursuing excellence in both academics and sports.

Rajashree’s success stands as a proud moment for S. S. Dempo College and serves as an inspiration for young sportspersons across the state.

Sports

Neha Tanwar Builds a Fearless Goa Unit Ahead of Senior Women’s One Day Trophy 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

With the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy scheduled from February 6 to February 28, 2026, Goa’s senior women’s cricket team is entering a demanding domestic season with renewed focus and belief. Under the guidance of head coach Neha Tanwar, the squad is preparing to compete against some of the strongest teams in Indian women’s cricket, including Delhi, Railways, Kerala and Punjab, with all matches set to be played in Ranchi.

Appointed in August 2025, Tanwar brings international and domestic playing experience into her coaching philosophy, which is rooted in preparation, process and mental strength. Since taking charge, she has been encouraged by the discipline, eagerness and raw potential within the Goa squad, noting a healthy mix of youth and experience.

The team’s preparation has followed a structured and process-driven approach, focusing on skill enhancement, fitness, match simulations and scenario-based training. Equal importance has been given to mental conditioning and role clarity, ensuring players are better equipped to handle pressure situations during matches.

According to Tanwar, while Goa’s players are technically capable, the key areas for growth lie in match awareness, consistency and decision-making under pressure. These aspects, she believes, are essential for translating skill into match-winning performances at the national level.

Looking ahead, her immediate goal is to build a fearless and competitive unit that can challenge stronger teams while also identifying players who can form the core of Goa’s women’s team in the years to come. She emphasizes that fitness, discipline and mental resilience are now non-negotiable at the senior level of women’s cricket.

Tanwar has also observed positive developments in women’s cricket in Goa, citing increased participation, better infrastructure and structured pathways as encouraging signs for the future. She credits the Goa Cricket Association for its consistent support, improved facilities and commitment to women’s cricket development.

The recent success of the Indian women’s team on the world stage has further inspired Goa’s players, reinforcing the belief that dreams are achievable regardless of background or geography. As the team prepares to step onto the national stage, Tanwar’s message to aspiring cricketers remains simple yet powerful — believe in yourself, stay disciplined, trust the process and never fear failure.

Sports

Erica De Sequeira Wins Gold at Khelo India Asmita Kickboxing Zonal League 2025–26

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Erica De Sequeira delivered an outstanding performance at the Khelo India Asmita Kickboxing Zonal League 2025–26, held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, emerging as the gold medallist in a fiercely contested year-end championship. Competing against some of the best kickboxers from across the country, Erica displayed remarkable composure, technical skill, and determination throughout the tournament.

Her campaign began on a strong note with a convincing victory over Rajasthan, setting the tone for the matches ahead. She followed this up with impressive wins against Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, steadily establishing herself as one of the most consistent and formidable competitors in the league. Each bout reflected her disciplined training and tactical awareness, as she dominated her opponents with confidence.

The final saw Erica take on Maharashtra in a high-intensity clash, where she delivered a commanding performance to secure the gold medal. This victory not only marked the highlight of her zonal league journey but also earned her selection to represent her zone at the prestigious Khelo India National Games 2026.

The achievement is particularly significant as it reflects Erica’s growth as an athlete, having progressed from a bronze medal finish earlier in the season to standing atop the podium with gold. Speaking after her win, Erica described the moment as just the beginning of her journey, expressing gratitude for the unwavering support of her family and team while looking ahead to greater challenges.

Erica De Sequeira’s gold medal triumph at the Khelo India Asmita Kickboxing Zonal League 2025–26 stands as a testament to perseverance, hard work, and belief. With her eyes now set on the Khelo India National Games 2026, she continues to inspire as one of Goa’s most promising young athletes in Indian kickboxing.

Sports

Sachin Tendulkar Meets T20 Blind Women’s World Cup Champions in Mumbai

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

In a moment filled with inspiration and pride, Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar met the Indian Women’s Blind Cricket Team, the newly crowned T20 Blind Cricket World Cup champions, at the MIG Cricket Club in Mumbai on December 17, 2025. The interaction marked a defining milestone for the team, whose journey to the world title has been shaped by resilience, determination, and unwavering belief.

Sachin Tendulkar spent close to an hour with the players, congratulating them on their historic achievement and listening intently to their personal journeys. He praised the team for overcoming challenges and crossing the final hurdle through sheer perseverance and hard work, noting that their World Cup victory would be remembered far beyond the tournament itself.

During the interaction, Sachin acknowledged the vital role played by the players’ families, particularly their parents, for providing encouragement and freedom rather than limitations. He emphasised that such support enabled the athletes to pursue cricket at the highest level and transform dreams into reality.

The cricket legend also reminded the team that success brings greater responsibility. With expectations set to rise, he said the players would need to work harder and stay focused, describing the World Cup win not as an endpoint but as the beginning of a longer journey that now carries the power to inspire countless others.

For the players, meeting Sachin Tendulkar was an emotional and unforgettable experience. Many described it as validation of years of dedication and sacrifice, and a moment that reaffirmed that their achievements have been recognised at the highest level of Indian sport.

Team captain Deepika TC expressed her emotions, calling the meeting a dream come true and sharing that Sachin’s words of encouragement deeply touched the team. She said the interaction would remain with them for life and motivate them to work even harder while carrying Indian cricket to greater heights.

Sachin Tendulkar gave autographs to all the players and posed for photographs with the team. In a gesture of gratitude, the players presented him with an autographed bat. Dr. G.K. Mahantesh, President of the Cricket Association for the Blind in India, described the meeting as a moment to cherish forever, stating that recognition from a legend like Sachin Tendulkar provides immense confidence to players and strengthens the entire blind cricket ecosystem in India.

The Cricket Association for the Blind in India expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sachin Tendulkar for his time, warmth, and unwavering belief in the abilities of blind cricketers, calling the interaction a landmark moment for the sport and its champions.