Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa has earned a place on the global robotics stage, with five school students selected to represent India at the FIRST Global Challenge 2026, an international robotics competition scheduled to be held in Incheon, South Korea, from October 7 to 10. The annual event brings together teams from nearly 195 countries to design, build and program robots based on a common global challenge.
The five-member Team Tech Infinity secured the honour after winning the Vikram Sarabhai Award for National Excellence at the Bharatiya Yantra Khel Mahotsav (BYKM) 2026, the national selection competition organised by the STEM Education Trust.
The Indian contingent comprises Sparsh Swapnesh Verlekar, Dhruv Samir Salgaonkar and Soham Mahesh Redkar from Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa, Avaneesh Devendra Phadte from Mushtifund High School, Cujira, and Anam Raza from Poddar International School, Old Goa. The students come from diverse educational backgrounds, including government aided schools, reflecting the growing reach of STEM education in Goa.
The team’s success is the result of years of dedication, with students developing expertise in robotics, computer aided design, Java programming, engineering strategy and teamwork. Their journey included competing at national level events, overcoming setbacks and continuously refining their technical skills before earning the opportunity to represent the country.
The 2026 competition theme, “Igniting Innovation,” focuses on developing technological solutions that help reduce the impact of fires while promoting environmental resilience. Over the coming months, Team Tech Infinity will design, build and test its competition robot while also preparing to represent India as cultural ambassadors during the event.
The team is mentored by Anay Kamat and Saieesh Gandhi, with support from their schools, parents and Goa’s growing STEM community. As preparations begin, the team is seeking assistance from government agencies, corporate organisations and the public to support its participation on the global stage.
The achievement also highlights the growing emphasis on robotics education in Goa, particularly through the state’s CARES initiative, which is introducing robotics and innovation to thousands of students. Team Tech Infinity’s success demonstrates how sustained mentorship, community support and access to STEM learning can enable young innovators from Goa to compete with the best in the world.
India has consistently performed strongly at the FIRST Global Challenge since its inception in 2017, earning several international awards for engineering, innovation, collaboration and outreach. With the 2026 edition now set to feature a Goan team, Team Tech Infinity will carry forward India’s legacy while showcasing the talent and innovation emerging from the state’s classrooms onto the global stage.
