PANAJI
The first edition of the Fan Club Tiger Trophy 2026, an All-Goa Light Ball Cricket Championship for players in the 45+ category, was successfully organised at the JP ground, Tambdi Mati, St Inez, Panaji, in memory of late cricket legend Dinesh Naik.
A total of 16 teams from across Goa participated in the one-day tournament, making the inaugural edition highly competitive and engaging for veteran cricketers.
The teams that participated included Panjim Cricketers, Friends Naroa, Siolim Cricketers, Kamaxi Cricketers, Panjim Blast, Trishul Valpoi, Team Boss, Koteshwar Bicholim, AC Milan, Kundaim Cricketers, Madanant Cricketers, Rohit Sports, Damodar Sports Club, Dattatray Sports Club, SK Jogging and Leading Cricketers.
In the final, Koteshwar Bicholim defeated Kamaxi Cricketers by seven wickets to lift the Tiger Trophy 2026.
Batting first, Kamaxi Cricketers scored 76/3 in 5 overs. Dayesh Bhatikar top scored with 38 runs while Nitesh Naik contributed 26 runs. For Koteshwar Bicholim, Sandeep Mandrekar took 1 for 15 and Nitin Gaonkar claimed 1 for 9.
In reply, Koteshwar Bicholim chased down the target scoring 82/3 in 5 overs. Daya Pednekar remained unbeaten on 41 while Sameer Thakur added an unbeaten 30 to guide their team to victory. For Kamaxi Cricketers, Nitesh Naik and Shrikant Naik picked up one wicket each.
Sameer Thakur of Koteshwar Bicholim was adjudged Man of the Final, while Rushikesh Pednekar of Koteshwar Bicholim was named Man of the Series.
Koteshwar Bicholim received the winners’ prize of ₹45,000 along with a trophy, while Kamaxi Cricketers were awarded ₹25,000 and a trophy as runners-up.
As part of the event, two special exhibition matches were also organised. In the Below 40 exhibition match, Videsh XI from North Goa emerged winners in a match held in memory of Videsh Salgaonkar and Shyam Gaonkar. In the Above 40 exhibition match, Babu XI from North Goa emerged victorious in a match held in memory of Sanju Govekar and Babu Koyla.
The inaugural match of the tournament saw Panjim Blast register a victory over Damodar Sports Club.
Advocate Iftikhar Agha was the Chief Guest for the opening ceremony, while Durvang Naik, son of late Dinesh Naik, attended the event as the Guest of Honour.
The finals were graced by former MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar as the Chief Guest.
The tournament received valuable support from Jayesh Salgaonkar, former MLA of Saligao Constituency; Chetan Dessai, former President of the Goa Cricket Association; Mohit Chopdekar, Siolim BJP Mandal President; Dattaraj Gauns, President of Ganpati Warriors Cricket Club; Sandesh Kerkar, President of United Ponjekar Club; Ganpat Khandeparkar, Founder of GK Events; Anant Kamat Sports Director (Dempo Sports Club), & Dr Vardhan Bhobe .
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Best Batter: Dayesh Bhatikar (Kamaxi Cricketers)
Best Bowler: Nitesh Naik (Kamaxi Cricketers)
Best Wicketkeeper: Nitin Lingudkar (Team Boss)
Best Fielder: Vilesh (Kamaxi Cricketers)
