Lacrosse, a sport still relatively new to India, is steadily finding its place in Goa, with two Goan players set to take the next big step — representing India at an international competition in Malaysia.
Sirvam Deulkar and Moshe Devappa have been selected for the Indian men’s lacrosse team for the World Lacrosse Sixes competition, organised by the Malaysia Lacrosse Association and sanctioned by the Asia Pacific Lacrosse Union (APLU). The tournament will be held from August 28 to 30, 2026, at Stadium Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz in Kuala Lumpur.
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For both players, the selection marks a significant moment in a sporting journey that began with a relatively unfamiliar game and limited facilities in Goa.
Lacrosse has a history at the Olympic Games, having last featured as an official medal sport at the 1908 London Olympics. The sport is now entering a new Olympic era, with Lacrosse Sixes set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
For Goa, the growing interest in the sport is particularly encouraging.
Lacrosse began with very few people knowing about it in Goa. Speaking about its growth, 16 year old Sirvam Deulkar said:
“When I started playing in Goa four or five years ago, very few people knew about the game. After some time, the game was introduced to everyone in Goa.”
According to Deulkar, players from different parts of the state, including Margao, Mapusa and Vasco, have gradually started taking up the sport. What began with a small group has now developed into organised men’s and women’s teams.
The progress has also been driven by people working behind the scenes.
A major figure in Goa’s lacrosse development has been Mangesh Pawar, secretary of the Goa Lacrosse Association, who has also been involved in coaching and player development. Players credited him with arranging equipment, organising training camps and helping them prepare for national competitions.
The challenge, however, remains facilities. Players say the lack of a dedicated ground makes regular training difficult, while equipment and coaching resources are also areas that need improvement.
For the two players, however, the journey has been about much more than selection. It has meant years of training, learning a relatively unfamiliar sport, overcoming limited facilities and competing at the national level. Their selection is now giving them an opportunity to take everything they have learnt in Goa to the international stage.
For Moshe Devappa, the Malaysia competition represents his first opportunity to wear India’s colours.
“This is my first chance to represent India. I have played two or three nationals and won silver medals for Goa, but I have never experienced anything like this before. This is my first time representing India.”
Devappa said the selection also demonstrates the opportunities that emerging sports can create for young athletes.
“There are many new sports and many opportunities coming up. With a lot of effort, two players from Goa have been selected to represent India. It is a proud moment for us, and we hope more players from Goa can get the same opportunity in the future.”
The selection of two players from Goa — Devappa and Deulkar — is a significant achievement for a sport that is still developing in the state. Their immediate target is Malaysia, but the larger ambition is to establish lacrosse as a stronger sporting pathway for young Goans.
The progress is not limited to the men’s team. Priyanka, who has represented Goa at the national level, spoke about the growing potential of women’s lacrosse.
Goa finished second in the girls’ division at the 2nd Junior National Lacrosse Championship in Agra, held from September 27 to 29, 2024.
Priyanka, who competed at the national level in Agra, said the experience showed that Goa’s women players can compete strongly against teams from across India.
She also highlighted the need for better infrastructure.
“The ground facilities are less. If we want to grow, we need a separate ground, a good coach and facilities like sticks, balls, helmets and other equipment.”
Despite those challenges, she believes lacrosse can offer young girls a new sporting opportunity.
“It may seem difficult at first, but while learning it can become easy. Anyone can learn it; you just need to practise.”
The story of lacrosse in Goa is still at an early stage, but the progress is visible. From a handful of players and limited equipment to national medals and now two players earning India selection, the sport is gradually building momentum.
It is a chance to put Goa on the map of Indian lacrosse, inspire more youngsters to take up a relatively unfamiliar sport and show that with consistent training, support and opportunity, emerging sports can produce athletes capable of representing the country.
For Goa’s lacrosse players, the journey has only just begun. And with the sport heading back to the Olympic stage, the sticks, goals and players from Goa could soon become a much more familiar sight in Indian sport.
