PANAJI
Sparkling Stars successfully retained the Ultimate Badminton League (UBL) Edition 6.0 title with a stirring 150–132 victory over Asher’s Smashers in the grand finale, played at the Indoor Stadium, Campal. The two-day league, which brought together 200 players, showcased the finest badminton talent from Goa along with strong outstation participation, delivering high-octane action and thrilling team contests.
Organised by Goa Sports Club in aegis with Chicalim Badminton Club and the Goa Badminton Association, the league followed a competitive group and playoff format. The league stage saw Sparkling Stars and Asher’s Smashers finish as table toppers, setting up a mouth-watering Qualifier 1 clash, where Asher’s Smashers registered a convincing 150–133 win to book a direct berth in the final. In the eliminator, Priority Titans produced a remarkable comeback, overturning a 15-point deficit to edge past Flying Gravity 150–146, before Sparkling Stars defeated Priority Titans 150–123 in Qualifier 2 to set up a repeat final against Asher’s Smashers.
The final, however, was a tale of momentum and resilience. Asher’s Smashers dominated the early exchanges, building an 18-point lead after the first three ties. The turning point came in the crucial fourth tie, where the experienced veterans Kamlesh Kanji and Shamsudeen C.K. delivered a match-defining performance for Sparkling Stars, wiping out the deficit and handing their team a narrow lead. Energised by their vociferous supporters, Sparkling Stars then surged ahead through commanding wins by their men’s pairs - Chinmay Kamat / Divyesh Shirsat strongly smashing past Aryaman Saraf / Yash Desai, followed by Tejan Fallary / Devansh Sakpal outplaying Parth Joshi / Chirag Mahale - opening up a decisive 17-point cushion at the end of six of the ten ties, from where they cruised to a stylish finish.
The closing ceremony was graced by Dr Ajay Gaude, Executive Director, The Sports Authority of Goa, Praveen Shenoy, Secretary, Goa Badminton Association, and Sanjay Bhobe, Treasurer, GBA along with Team Owners. The four other teams participating in this successful edition were Badminators, Racket Rebels, Ace Raqueteers and Ace Assassins, underlining the depth and growing popularity of the Ultimate Badminton League in Goa.
