THE GOAN Network
PANAJIVishnu Das, Hardik Jhakkar, Kedar Shastri, Alice, Yemaya Prassana Akella, Avinash were announced as the winners after the final day action of the three-day event which began on November 6. The event saw 5-per-side frisbee games played in a beach format with two end zones. Around 100 international and national players and about 7 to 8 under-15 players competed in the tournament, which is an initiative of USHA International, one of India’s leading household consumer durable brands.
Usha Big Fat Goan HAT, the first ever ultimate frisbee tournament in Goa, concluded at Miramar beach on Sunday.
Being a HAT tournament, players were registered individually and grouped into teams. The tournament had 24 teams of 4 to 5 players each who played seven round robin in pool stages. Top four teams played the finals for the title.
Best youth player (female): Amaani Desai, Sophie Chowgule
Speaking about the event, Komal Mehra, Events Head, Usha International said, “This collaboration along with Goa Tourism’s support is a part of Usha’s larger effort in promoting sports and active lifestyle thereby engaging with the larger set of audiences. The tournament would further help in boosting city’s tourism by catching more eye balls towards the thrilling beach matches. Ultimate, a global sport recognized with the International Olympic Association, blends perfectly with the Usha brand ethos ‘Play’. Usha has been associated with ultimate for more than four years now, and we together aim to reach the crux of this sport by organizing rural sports out-reach initiatives across India. We endeavour to cater to sports enthusiasts by supporting numerous sports initiatives in the country as well.”
Breaking many demographic barriers like age, gender, social status and even the nationality, Ultimate Frisbee is an international sport played across regions like South East Asia, America, Europe, Australia and in more than 60 countries registered under WFDF (World Flying Disc Federation). The object of the game is to score a point by catching a pass in the opponent’s end zone. It is played using a flying disc or a frisbee and is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Ultimate is an unique sport because unlike other sports it is co-ed, non-contact, self-refereed and takes team spirit very seriously.
WINNERS
Vishnu Das, Hardik Jhakkar, Kedar Shastri, Alice, Yemaya Prassana Akella, Avinash
Most spirited team award: Ganesh Thakur, Karan Tandon, Shalmali Chaudhari, Sampath Jayaram
Most valuable player (male): Fabian Leysen
Most valuable player (female): Maitreyi Ananthpadmanabhan
Best youth player (male): Felix Craven
