Chief Minister Pramod Sawant tries his hand at beach volleyball during the inauguration ceremony of the 69th National School Games Beach Volleyball U-17 Championship at Miramar Beach on Tuesday.
PANAJI
Host Goa enjoyed an impressive opening day at the 69th National School Games Beach Volleyball U-17 Championship, with both boys’ and girls’ teams registering convincing victories at Miramar beach on Tuesday.
The Goa boys’ team recorded two straight-set wins, defeating Puducherry 21-17, 21-9 before overcoming Andhra Pradesh 21-15, 21-18. The girls’ team also made a positive start, beating Andhra Pradesh 21-17, 21-14 to underline the hosts’ strong showing.
Playing on home sand, Goa showcased composure and control across matches, capitalising on familiar conditions to build early momentum in the tournament.
With the competition entering a decisive phase, hosts Goa will now be under the spotlight as the championship moves into its final two days. After an action-packed opening day, attention shifts to the crucial pool matches on Wednesday, which will determine the teams advancing to the knockout stage.
The Goa boys are set to face Andhra Pradesh in a must-win encounter, while the girls will take on a strong Tamil Nadu side in a key clash that could decide their quarter-final prospects. Other notable fixtures include Pondicherry versus Andhra Pradesh and Odisha against Delhi in the boys’ section, while West Bengal meet CBSE WSO and Gujarat face Delhi in the girls’ category.
The evening session will mark the start of the knockout stage, with quarter-finals scheduled from 4 pm. The top two teams from each pool will progress, setting up high-stakes cross-pool encounters.
The championship will conclude on Thursday, with semi-finals in the morning and medal matches in the evening. The girls’ final is scheduled for 5.15 pm, followed by the boys’ final at 6.30 pm, after which the closing ceremony will be held.
With qualification hanging in the balance, Goa’s boys and girls teams face a defining phase, with strong performances in the upcoming matches crucial to keeping their podium hopes alive.
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RESULTS
Men: Gujarat beat CBSE 21-2, 21-0; Tamil Nadu beat Punjab 21-9, 21-8; Goa beat Puducherry 21-17, 21-9; Odisha beat Telangana 17-21, 21-18, 19-17; Punjab beat Dadra & Nagar Haveli D&D 21-11, 21-7; Telangana beat Delhi 21-16, 21-16; Goa beat Andhra Pradesh 21-15, 21-18
Women: West Bengal beat Telangana 21-8, 21-8; Tamil Nadu beat Andhra Pradesh 21-9, 21-4; Gujarat beat Dadra & Nagar Haveli D&D 21-1, 21-6; Puducherry beat Odisha 21-8, 15-21, 15-9; Telangana beat CBSE 21-9, 21-9; Goa beat Andhra Pradesh 21-17, 21-14; Delhi beat Dadra & Nagar Haveli D&D 21-15, 21-10; Punjab beat Puducherry 21-7, 21-10
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PLAYING TODAY
Men: Pondicherry vs Andhra Pradesh (7 am); Odisha vs Delhi (7 am); Tamil Nadu vs DNHDD (7:45 am); Men Pool A winner vs Pool C runner-up (4 pm); Men Pool B winner vs Pool D runner-up (4 pm); Men Pool C winner vs Pool A runner-up (4:45 pm); Men Pool D winner vs Pool B runner-up (4:45 pm)
Women: West Bengal vs CBSE WSO (7 am); Gujarat vs Delhi (7 am); Tamil Nadu vs Goa (7:45 am); Odisha vs Punjab (7:45 am); Women Pool A winner vs Pool C runner-up (4 pm); Women Pool B winner vs Pool D runner-up (4 pm); Women Pool C winner vs Pool A runner-up (4:45 pm); Women Pool D winner vs Pool B runner-up (4:45 pm)
