Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Debutants Dempo Challengers produced a remarkable performance to emerge champions of the Casino Pride Badminton Pro League (BPL) 2026 Edition 2.0, defeating Prassa Challengers 120-104 in a thrilling final at the Indoor Stadium in Campal on Sunday.
In an impressive first appearance in Goa’s badminton league circuit, Dempo Challengers completed an unbeaten campaign and capped it off with the championship trophy. The side had already stamped its authority during the league phase by finishing at the top of the standings with five victories from five matches. Prassa Challengers secured the second spot, while Salkar Smashers and Tax Gladiators competed for third place.
The tournament featured six corporate teams battling in a round robin format, with the top two sides progressing to the final. The relay style competition added intensity to every encounter, with ties consisting of seven men’s doubles and one mixed doubles match. The team that first reached 120 points was declared the winner.
The final began with Prassa Challengers taking early control after winning the opening two rubbers. However, Dempo Challengers responded strongly and turned the match around through crucial performances from the pairs of Anirban Sen and Samir Sangodkar, Mukesh Gauns and Rushin Joshi, along with captain Arjun Fallary and Soham Naik. Their consistent run helped Dempo seize momentum before eventually sealing the title with a comfortable margin.
The third place playoff also delivered high drama as Tax Gladiators edged Salkar Smashers 120-117 in a closely contested clash. Kapil Kanji and Wilson D’Souza played a decisive role after producing a dominant 21-12 win in the seventh men’s doubles rubber that shifted the momentum in Tax Gladiators’ favour.
Rushin Joshi and Mukesh Gauns were named the Impact Pair of the Finals, while Kapil Kanji and Wilson D’Souza earned the same honour in the third place match. Soham Naik won the MVP Men award, Malaika Lobo secured the MVP Women title and Sudhanva Udupa was recognised as MVP Juniors.
Dempo Challengers received Rs 2 lakh as champions, while runners up Prassa Challengers earned Rs 1.45 lakh and third placed Tax Gladiators took home Rs 1.15 lakh along with trophies and individual awards.
