Team Goemkarponn
PONDA: The All Goa Major Ranking Table Tennis Tournament got off to a thrilling start at the Sports Complex in Ponda, with Anaya Shukla and Shaurya Dessai making dominant runs to book their spots in the U11 Girls Singles final.
Anaya delivered a flawless performance in her semi-final clash, brushing aside Sanaz Shaikh in straight sets (3-0). Shaurya matched that intensity, defeating Tvisha Kotkar with an identical 3-0 scoreline, setting the stage for an exciting final showdown between the two young talents.
In the quarter-finals, Anaya had earlier eased past Radha Desai (3-0), while Sanaz overcame Claire George with the same margin. Tvisha edged out Tasha Mascarenhas (3-1), and Shaurya advanced via a walkover.
The tournament, organised by the Ponda Table Tennis Sports Club in collaboration with the Goa Table Tennis Association, marks the resurgence of major table tennis action in Ponda after a considerable hiatus. The opening day saw energetic participation in the girls’ categories, highlighting the depth of young talent in the state.
In the U13 Girls Singles, eight players have progressed to the quarter-final stage: Aayushi Amonkar, Kavyaa Khalap, Gianna George, Tisha Shaikh, Sachi Dessai, Inara D’Souza, Aarna Lotlikar, and Samaira Verlekar.
With intense competition and emerging talent on display, the tournament promises to deliver gripping matches in the days ahead.
