BJP State President Damodar ‘Damu’ Naik has expressed confidence that Goa will soon produce a national-level cricketer who will emerge as a sporting icon for the state. He was speaking as the Chief Guest at the Grand Auction of the Junior Cricket Championship (JCC) organised by the Oxford Cricket Club in Borda, Margao, on Wednesday.
The Junior Cricket Championship will be held from February 25 to 28, with matches scheduled across venues in Arlem, Margao, and Vasco–Chicalim. The tournament will feature competitions in three age groups — U-15, U-14, and U-13 — bringing promising young cricketers into the spotlight.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The Grand Auction marked a key milestone for the event, uniting team owners, young players, organisers, and officials in a shared commitment to nurturing grassroots cricket. Among the dignitaries present were JCC President Romeen Mulam, Mentor Sandeep Naik, and former Ranji player and Goa U-19 coach Robin D’Souza.
Reflecting on Goa’s sporting journey, Naik said the state had once faced challenges in cricket infrastructure, but major strides had been made in recent years.
“With our theme ‘Fueling the Future’, we are creating a platform where children can thrive. Parents are now investing in their children’s nutrition, fitness and training. We are simply waiting for that one player to break through and become Goa’s national icon,” he said.
JCC President Romeen Mulam shared the story behind the initiative, noting that the club was founded two decades ago in Dubai by Mukhtar Khadri. He added that while player auctions are popular in adult tennis-ball cricket, there was a lack of similar opportunities for youngsters.
“In 2023, I realised there was nothing like this for kids. For this edition, we had 196 young players register, despite initially capping entries at 150,” Mulam said.
Mentor Sandeep Naik, a former Ranji cricketer and coach, highlighted the crucial role of parents in supporting young athletes.
“This platform is not about winning or losing — it is about giving children a stage to showcase their talent,” he said, thanking the owners of the eight participating teams for their support.
Former Ranji player Robin D’Souza praised the initiative, stating that such programmes lay the groundwork for future success.
“The standard of Goan cricket has already improved at the junior level in the U-14 and U-16 categories and will continue to rise,” he said.
The JCC aims to serve as a launchpad for Goa’s budding cricketers — and perhaps, as Naik hopes, the state’s next national cricket star.
