PANJIM: Salvador do Mundo Tigers Rugby Club clinched the top honours in men’ open and mixed categories at the Christmas Touch Rugby Championship, organized by The BanquetSPORTS, at Campal ground, on Sunday.
Around 66 teams participated in the tournament with over 650 players making it India’s biggest rugby event in terms of participation. There were more than 100 referees and volunteers that helped out the Goa Rugby crew in the organization.
Goa Rugby president Anish Quenim thanked everyone associated with the event for their contribution in making the event a grand success.
“With this event Goa Rugby has set a benchmark for Rugby in India and we only hope that the sport grows to other parts of the country”.
The highlight of the tournament was maximum participation by the girls as they represented their schools. It is no surprise that girls have really taken to the sport all thanks to Belinda Trotter, senior women coaching advisory.
Belinda also credited the entire Goa Rugby crew for their contribution and support in helping popularize the sport in the state.
“We managed to make a lot of people happy today including kids and it was a treat to watch them play. The talent in Goa is amazing and if they continue at this rate, they will definitely bring laurels to the country in the future”, said Trotter.
“Hard work and dedication is the key to success, we are glad that all our efforts have been appreciated and well received by everyone in Goa. The love and support this tournament has received is truly amazing”, added Trotter.
All the school teams were trained under the supervision of Welsh coach David Trotter and Fijian Isikeli Rasoqosoqo.
Isikeli Rasoqosoqo was truly astounded by the talent in Goa. “There are similarities a plenty between Goan and Fijian players. Touch rugby is just a start for all these young kids. We will strive hard to take them to the next level so that they can gradually move to other forms of rugby in the years to come”.
The Goa Super Bikers mesmerized the audiences with their grand finale entrance that was followed by the presentation ceremony.
Results. Winners: U-13 boys: Don Bosco HS Rugby Club, Panjim. U-13 girls: St Anthony HS Rugby Club, Duler. U-13 mixed: Don Bosco HS Rugby Club, Panjim and Our Lady of Rosary HS Rugby Club, Dona Paula.
U-17 boys: Salvador do Mundo Tigers Rugby Club. U-17 girls: Our Lady of Rosary HS Rugby Club, Dona Paula. U-17 mixed: Don Bosco HS Rugby Club, Panjim and Our Lady of Rosary HS Rugby Club, Dona Paula.
U-19 boys: Porvorim Trynosaurs Rugby Club. U-19 girls: Panjim Trynosaurs Rugby Club. U-19 mixed: SFX Hawks Rugby Club, Siolim.
Open category men’s: Salvador do Mundo Tigers Rugby Club. Open category mixed: Salvador do Mundo Tigers Rugby Club.
Runners up. U-13 mixed: St Joseph HS Rugby Club, Arpora. U-13 boys: St Anthony HS Rugby Club, Mont de Guirim. U-17 mixed: St Anthony HS Rugby Club, Duler. U-17 boys: Don Bosco HS Rugby Club, Panjim. U-17 girls: St Anthony HS Rugby Club, Duler.
U-19 mixed: Panjim Trynosaurs Rugby Club. U-19 boys: SFX Hawks Rugby Club, Siolim.
Open category men’s: Ponda Warriors Rugby Club. Open Category mixed: Pink Panthers Rugby Club, Morjim.
