Team Goemkarponn
Panjim: In a nail-biting finale that lived up to the legacy of Goa’s oldest team table tennis championship, GTTC Paddle Knights emerged victorious over GTTTC Flame Spinners to claim the prestigious Angley’s Cup 2025. The Wesley Do Rosario-led side edged out Aaron Farias’ Flame Spinners 8-5 in a closely contested title clash held at Panjim Gymkhana.
Now in its sixth decade, the Angley’s Cup was conducted over two action-packed days in an electrifying format inspired by the Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) league of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). Each team rubber consisted of five ties with 15 games in total, and the first team to notch up 8 game wins took the crown.
The final on Sunday kicked off with the Paddle Knights gaining an early advantage in the Veterans Doubles. The experienced pairing of Noel Noronha and Shawn Soares blanked Yousuf Shaikh and Joseph Sequeira 3-0 to put their side ahead. But the Flame Spinners responded swiftly as Sreedatri Roy dominated the Women’s Singles with a 3-0 win over Trisha Paul, bringing the score level.
Skipper Wesley Do Rosario then showcased class and composure in the Men’s Singles, defeating his counterpart Aaron Farias in straight games to put the Knights back in the lead. However, the Flame Spinners fought back again through their young prodigy Dhruva Kamat, who eked out a hard-fought 2-1 win over Rishan Shaikh in the Junior Boys Singles, keeping the flame of hope burning.
With the tie finely poised, it all came down to the Mixed Doubles. Rising to the occasion, the dynamic duo of Do Rosario and Trisha Paul combined forces to convincingly defeat the pairing of Farias and Roy 11-5, clinching the decisive game and sealing an 8-5 triumph for GTTC Paddle Knights.
Meanwhile, Team Parijat, owned by Dinesh Sinari, secured third place after edging out TT Champs, a side featuring veteran ace Diljeet Velingker.
The Angley’s Cup 2025 proved to be a showcase of talent, teamwork, and thrilling table tennis action, reaffirming its status as a marquee event in Goa’s sporting calendar.
