MAPUSA: St Clara’s High School, Assonora put up an impressive display at the 8th All Goa State Wushu Championship, bringing pride to the institution by securing a total of 10 medals — 2 gold, 2 silver and 6 bronze.
The championship saw participation from schools and clubs across Goa, with young athletes showcasing skill, discipline and competitive spirit. The students of St Clara’s High School stood out with their consistent performances across various categories, reflecting rigorous training and dedication to the sport.
Head Mistress Sunita Dalvi, Physical Education Teacher Raj Gawas, and Paulo Fernandes, Secretary of the Association of Goa Wushu, congratulated the medal winners on their achievement. They praised the students for their discipline, perseverance and commitment, while also acknowledging the efforts of the coaches and support staff for their guidance and encouragement.
The achievement highlights the school’s continued focus on holistic development, encouraging students to excel not only in academics but also in sports and physical education.
The 8th All Goa State Wushu Championship 2026 along with the 2nd Inter-College Wushu Competition 2026 was successfully organised by the Association of Goa Wushu in association with the Village Panchayat of Anjuna Caisua, Chivar and Chapora, on January 29 and 30, 2026, at the Anjuna–Caisua Panchayat Hall, Chivar, Chapora.
The championship was inaugurated by Surendra Sazu Govekar, Sarpanch of Anjuna Caisua Village Panchayat, in the presence of Panchayat members Dinesh Patil and Sudesh Parsekar, along with Paulo Killman Fernandes, Secretary of the Association of Goa Wushu, and other dignitaries.
The Village Panchayat of Anjuna Caisua extended full support and cooperation towards the successful conduct of the event, underlining its commitment to promoting martial arts and encouraging grassroots-level sports development in the region.
Winners of the championship were felicitated with medals and trophies by Delilah Lobo, MLA of the Siolim Constituency, Niyati Chimulkar, Vice President of the Association of Goa Wushu, along with the Sarpanch and Panchayat members. The competition was officiated by Ashok Mokashi and Sangamesh Layadagundi, National Judges (WAI) from the Karnataka Wushu Association, who served as official invitees for the event.
The championship saw enthusiastic participation from Wushu players across Goa in Sub-Junior, Junior and Senior categories for both boys and girls. Events were conducted in Taolu and Sanda disciplines across various weight categories. The Inter-College Wushu Competition was held separately, showcasing emerging talent from colleges across the state.
All participating athletes received participation certificates, while winners were awarded medals and certificates. Coaches and physical education teachers were presented with mementoes, and trophies were awarded to overall champion teams, marking the successful conclusion of the two-day sporting event.
Panaji: Over the last six to seven years, a structured and community-driven football development model led by Candolim Panchayat, implemented through Super 30 Soccer Schools and represented competitively by Super Goan Football Club, has steadily emerged as one of Goa’s most consistent grassroots football ecosystems.
The programme, headed by president Ricardo Cardozo, focuses on building football development from the grassroots level with an emphasis on structure, patience and continuity. “We have always believed that football development cannot be rushed. If you give children the right environment early and stay committed to the process, results will follow naturally,” Cardozo said.
The system introduces children to organised football training from the age of six, following a progressive age-group structure that focuses on technical skills, tactical understanding, physical conditioning and discipline. This pathway allows players to move seamlessly into competitive football through Super Goan Football Club, the parent club of the programme.
Over the past four years, Super Goan FC has consistently finished among the top four teams in grassroots tournaments, winning multiple competitions, while also establishing itself as a strong contender in the GFA Second Division League with regular top-four finishes.
A major strength of the initiative has been the development of supporting infrastructure across multiple centres. Daily training sessions are held at the Candolim Panchayat Football Academy, where over 100 children train across various age groups. High-intensity futsal sessions are conducted at the Nagoa Futsal Arena.
The football network has expanded to centres at Porvorim and the Benaulim Constituency Football Academy, which functions under the Super 30 umbrella with the support of Warren Alemao, ensuring a common football philosophy across regions.
The programme has received consistent institutional backing from Candolim Panchayat, with continued encouragement from Blaize Fernandes. The technical framework is led by head coach Tony Okafor, while operations and coordination across centres and competitions are managed by Marcos Fernandes, Head of Department and Manager, with support from Shrikrishna Nagvekar.
Beyond results, the initiative has fostered strong community involvement, particularly on matchdays, where parents and supporters turn up in large numbers to create a vibrant atmosphere. “When parents become part of the journey, it motivates the children and strengthens the entire system,” Cardozo added.
One of the most significant outcomes of the programme has been its commitment to developing and competing with homegrown players. Several footballers who began their journey within this structure have progressed to professional youth clubs, continuing their careers beyond grassroots and state-level competitions.
With a clear grassroots-to-club pathway, growing infrastructure and strong community backing, the Candolim Panchayat–Super 30–Super Goan FC model continues to demonstrate how sustained grassroots planning can shape the future of football development in Goa.
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.
The Goa boys’ contingent is geared up to participate in the 36th Boys and Girls Junior National Atya Patya Championship, scheduled to be held in Chandigarh from December 12 to 14, 2025. The prestigious national-level tournament will see young talents from across India compete, offering Goa an opportunity to showcase its growing strength in the traditional sport.
The state’s participation will be overseen by Goa Atya Patya State Secretary Krishna Kharade, along with Federation Member Prisca Pires and members Surendra Dessai and Sushrut Kharade, who will ensure smooth coordination and support for the team throughout the championship.
The Goa boys’ team features a balanced mix of skill, discipline, and determination. The squad is led by Anish Velip (Captain) and includes Princekumar Thakur, Sanskar Naikdhure, Ayyan Tumbagi, Nitin Gautam, Vignesh Zoro, Shubham Lambor, Binna Halkumar Yadav, Raj Mali, Chandan Gaude, Deepak Thakur, Aniket Kharat, Manthan Mirashi, and Nekhil Gaur.
Guiding the team from the sidelines will be Coach Akash Sasnot, with Vijay Chauhan serving as the Team Manager.
With months of preparation behind them, the Goa contingent is confident and focused as they step onto the national stage. The championship promises intense competition, and the team is determined to put forth a strong performance, carrying the pride of Goa with them.
