Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Sparkling Stars successfully defended their Ultimate Badminton League crown with a commanding 150–132 victory over Asher’s Smashers in the grand finale of UBL Edition 6.0, held at the Indoor Stadium in Campal. The high-profile encounter brought the curtain down on a two-day tournament that featured around 200 players and highlighted the rising standard of badminton in Goa, alongside strong participation from outstation competitors.
Organised by Goa Sports Club in association with Chicalim Badminton Club and under the aegis of the Goa Badminton Association, the league followed an intense group and playoff format. Sparkling Stars and Asher’s Smashers emerged as the most consistent sides during the league stage, finishing at the top of the standings. Their first clash came in Qualifier 1, where Asher’s Smashers secured a convincing 150–133 win to book a direct spot in the final.
The road to the summit clash saw dramatic twists. Priority Titans scripted a thrilling comeback in the eliminator, overturning a 15-point deficit to edge past Flying Gravity 150–146. However, Sparkling Stars responded strongly in Qualifier 2, defeating Priority Titans 150–123 to earn a rematch against Asher’s Smashers in the final.
The title match itself was a contest of shifting momentum. Asher’s Smashers dominated the early ties, racing to an 18-point advantage after the first three matches. The turning point arrived in the crucial fourth tie, where seasoned campaigners Kamlesh Kanji and Shamsudeen C.K. produced a decisive performance to erase the deficit and push Sparkling Stars into a slender lead.
Buoyed by loud home support, Sparkling Stars then took firm control. The men’s pairs of Chinmay Kamat and Divyesh Shirsat delivered a powerful win, followed by Tejan Fallary and Devansh Sakpal, who outplayed their opponents to stretch the lead to 17 points after six ties. From there, the defending champions maintained composure and closed out the contest in style.
The closing ceremony was attended by senior sports administrators and team owners, marking another successful edition of the league. With competitive teams and thrilling finishes, UBL 6.0 reaffirmed its growing stature as a key platform for nurturing badminton talent in Goa.
