Tag: Women In Sports

Sports

Goa Under-19 Women Face Third Straight Defeat in Elite One-Day Tournament

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa’s Under-19 women’s cricket team endured another challenging outing in the Under-19 Women’s Elite One-Day Cricket Tournament, suffering their third consecutive defeat in Group ‘A’ after a five-wicket loss to Puducherry on Wednesday. The match was played at the Railway Ground in Vadodara, where Goa showed resilience but were unable to convert promising performances into a victory.

Batting first after Puducherry elected to field, Goa were bowled out for 187 in 47.1 overs. Wicketkeeper Shilpa Sharma anchored the innings with a composed knock of 56, displaying maturity and control under pressure. She was well supported by Usma Khan, who contributed 45, and Preeti Gaonkar, who added a valuable 40 runs. Despite these efforts, Goa’s innings came to an end with 17 balls remaining, as Puducherry’s bowling attack maintained discipline. Haripriya emerged as the standout bowler for Puducherry, finishing with figures of four wickets for 41 runs.

In reply, Puducherry approached the chase with confidence and patience. Opener B.G. Jaishri played a commanding innings, remaining unbeaten on 111 to guide her team home. She found support from Varshini Devi and Nisha Sitharaman, who chipped in with 20 runs each, ensuring there were no major hiccups in the chase. Puducherry reached the target at 188 for five in 42.2 overs to seal the win.

For Goa, Athashree Shivarkar was the most impressive bowler, picking up three wickets for 40 runs in her full quota of 10 overs, while Vidhi Bhandare and Prachi Nikam claimed a wicket each. Despite the loss, Goa will take encouragement from individual performances as they look to regroup and prepare for their next fixture against Tamil Nadu on the 19th, hoping to turn their campaign around in the remaining matches.

Sports

Emerging Goan Kickboxer Erica De Sequeira Wins 5 Gold Medals, Shines at Khelo India Asmita League

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Emerging Goan kickboxer Erica De Sequeira is rapidly establishing herself as one of the most promising young athletes in the state, earning recognition for her exceptional skill, discipline, and dedication to the sport. Representing Goa across multiple WAKO kickboxing platforms, Erica has consistently delivered strong performances and demonstrated remarkable competitive spirit.

Her latest achievement came at the Khelo India Asmita Kickboxing League, where she created history by becoming the only girl from Goa to win an impressive five gold medals. The milestone performance has firmly positioned her as a rising star in Goan sports and highlighted the growing presence of women in kickboxing.

Erica trains under the guidance of experienced coaches whose mentorship has played a crucial role in shaping her competitive journey. Her parents have also been a constant source of encouragement, supporting her ambitions both on and off the mat.

Speaking about her progress, her coach said that Erica’s discipline, work ethic, and passion for the sport set her apart, adding that her dream of representing India at the Olympics is steadily moving closer to reality. Her success not only reflects her personal commitment but also showcases the expanding talent pool of women athletes in Goa.

Erica De Sequeira’s achievements are inspiring a new generation of young girls to take up kickboxing, reinforcing the belief that with dedication and the right support, Goan athletes can shine on national and international stages.

Sports

CKB Martial Art Academy Girls Achieve 100% Medal Success at Khelo India Kickboxing Championship

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

CKB Martial Art Academy recorded a moment of immense pride at the Khelo India Kickboxing Championship held in Mapusa, Peddem, as all 11 girls representing the academy achieved a 100% medal-winning result. Competing with determination and discipline, the young athletes brought home a mix of gold, silver, and bronze medals, reflecting months of dedicated training and perseverance.

The champions who delivered this outstanding performance include Ahd Mulla, Ainsley Dsouza, Afifa Mulla, Sejal Parsekar, Saanchi Chavan, Aarohy Kamble, Atifa Mulla, Zoya Dori, Pranjal Kamble, Raashi Kamble, and Inaya Mulla. Their success not only highlighted individual excellence but also showcased the collective strength and unity of the team.

The achievement stands as a strong statement for girl empowerment in sports, proving that with the right guidance and support, young women can excel at the highest competitive platforms. The academy credited this success to the vision, mentorship, and unwavering commitment of Mr. Hussain Mulla, Coach and Director of CKB Martial Art Academy, whose leadership continues to inspire young athletes to push beyond their limits.

This landmark performance has brought pride to the academy and the larger community, reinforcing the role of martial arts in building confidence, discipline, and resilience among youth, while strengthening the growing presence of women in competitive sports.

Sports

Goa’s Kickboxing Stars Erica and Giovanna Shine at National Stage

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

Goa is celebrating two of its most extraordinary young athletes, Erica De Sequeira and Giovanna De Sequeira, who are taking the kickboxing world by storm. Triple gold medalist Erica and dual gold medalist Giovanna have left a remarkable mark at the Asmita events, showcasing lightning-fast reflexes, exceptional skill, and unyielding determination. Their victories not only highlight their personal excellence but also shine a spotlight on Goa as a nurturing ground for sporting talent.

These rising stars have earned the honor of representing Goa at the Khelo India Women Kickboxing West Zone Championship in Madhya Pradesh. Their journey to this stage is a testament to the power of dedication, discipline, and teamwork. Every punch, every kick, and every moment on the mat reflects countless hours of hard work, perseverance, and an unbreakable spirit.

Erica and Giovanna’s story goes beyond medals. They have become role models for young athletes, inspiring a generation to dream big and push boundaries in sports. Their achievements remind everyone that talent, when paired with relentless effort, can create remarkable success and leave a lasting legacy.

As these formidable kickboxers prepare to take on the national stage, Goa stands proudly behind them, cheering their every move. May their fists fly high, their kicks pack a punch, and their journey continue to motivate aspiring athletes for years to come.

Sports

Czech Star Petra Pastorová to Lead Record-Breaking 15th SKF Goa River Marathon

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

The 15th edition of the SKF Goa River Marathon is set to make history on Sunday, December 14, as Czech marathon legend Petra Pastorová arrives in Goa to lead the international field of runners. The event, taking place at Chicalim, has already created a buzz by registering a record 6,000 runners, making it the largest edition since the marathon began. Even more remarkable is the rising participation of women, who now make up 28 percent of the total runners — a significant milestone for the event and for distance running in Goa.

Petra Pastorová, a six-time national marathon champion from the Czech Republic, is widely regarded as one of the most consistent long-distance athletes in Europe. At 48, she continues to deliver exceptional performances, with a career-best timing of 2:36:44 hours set in 2013. She also clocked an impressive 2:42:45 earlier this year, proving she remains in top competitive form. Known for her endurance, Petra has completed a 50-kilometer run at the 2023 Hyderabad Masters as well as an ultradistance 100-kilometer run at the 2024 Bengaluru Masters. Her participation has drawn widespread attention, with many runners excited to share the course with an athlete of her stature. “This is the first time I have come to Goa and I am really looking forward to running the SKF Goa River Marathon,” she shared, expressing her enthusiasm ahead of race day.

The marathon is also seeing strong international participation, transforming it into one of the most globally diverse sporting events in the state. Among the foreign runners are participants from Russia, Australia, the United States, Israel, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, and the Czech Republic. This multination turnout further elevates the profile of the event as runners from different cultures and training backgrounds unite for a single purpose — endurance and celebration.

This year, the marathon’s theme “Pace for Peace” carries a deeper message, symbolizing unity and hope at a time when several regions across the world continue to face conflict and unrest. The organisers believe that sport, and running in particular, has the power to connect communities, promote solidarity, and inspire positive messages through collective action.

The marathon has also embraced new technology to improve the event experience. For the first time, organisers will use AI-based image selection systems and dual bib-and-face detection to help runners easily identify their race photos. These digital tools are expected to make post-race media access faster, more accurate, and more personalised.

With just days to go, on-spot registrations remain open, giving last-minute entrants a chance to be part of this energetic and meaningful sporting celebration. The race day will see traffic restrictions from 3:30 am to 11:30 am between Chicalim junction and Cortalim junction, and between Cortalim junction and Sontrant junction under the flyover, with diversions in place. Airport-bound traffic will move via Verna, BITS, and MES College junction, while parking facilities for participants and media have been arranged at Regina Mundi School grounds via Dabolim Airport.

As the countdown begins, excitement is building across Goa’s running community. With a celebrated international champion leading the pack and thousands of runners coming together under the banner of peace, the 15th SKF Goa River Marathon promises to be an unforgettable event for athletes and spectators alike.