Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa is gearing up to host Goa 7s 2025 – Season 2, scheduled for November 15 and 16 at the GMC Athletic Stadium in Bambolim. The two-day tournament, organised in partnership with the Crocotyles Rugby Foundation (CRF), will bring together top rugby talent from across India and abroad, reinforcing Goa’s positioning as a rising hub for sports tourism.
This year’s edition has seen significant growth, with 24 teams and over 350 players set to participate across Men’s 7s, Women’s 7s, and Adult Mixed Touch Rugby categories. Matches will be played in the Cup, Plate, and Bowl format. Organisers expect over 300 spectators at the venue and more than 5,000 global viewers through live-streaming.
Addressing the media in Panaji, Brandan Crasto, Founder of Goa 7s and President of CRF, said the tournament has expanded rapidly since last year.
“We had 12 teams last season; this year we have doubled that to 24. We have opened the doors to international teams, and it will only grow from here,” Crasto said. “We are excited to host teams not only from across India — including J&K and Tamil Nadu — but also from Australia, Nepal, South Africa, the USA, and the Philippines.”
Crasto added that his inspiration comes from the global HSBC 7s series, particularly the iconic Hong Kong 7s. He urged World Rugby, Asia Rugby, and Rugby India to witness firsthand the progress being made in Goa.
Also present at the briefing were Ryan Gaulstan, Head Manager of Rugby India; Kartik Menda, Tournament Director; Australia’s semi-pro player Samaka Issacs; Michael Blatteis, Philippines 7s international from the USA; and Ganesh Baniya, Nepal 7s international.
Gaulstan expressed confidence that the tournament would significantly boost the sport’s development in the state.
“With Brandan’s vision, Goa 7s will grow bigger each year. The involvement of foreign players and coaches will help raise the standard of rugby in Goa and produce top-quality athletes,” he said.
Tournament Director Menda noted that preparations intensified months in advance and acknowledged the support of the Goa Tourism Department and the Department of Art and Culture.
The event will award customised Goa 7s medals and trophies, including special plate- and bowl-shaped trophies for 5th and 7th place. Delhi Hurricanes RC, the defending champions in all three categories, will return to defend their titles. Teams from Colombo, Sri Lanka, as well as players from the UK, France, and other nations, will also feature this season.
The Goa government continues to back high-energy sporting events to diversify tourism and engage youth in competitive sport. By promoting platforms like Goa 7s, the state aims to expand its footprint as a year-round destination for adventure and sporting excellence.
CRF, under Brandan Crasto’s leadership, has been instrumental in shaping Goa’s rugby culture since 2014. Today, its grassroots programmes reach over 10,000 students annually, helping cultivate new talent and further strengthening the state’s sports ecosystem.
With its fast-paced action, international participation, and vibrant Goan atmosphere, Goa 7s 2025 promises an electrifying weekend for both players and spectators.
