PANJIM: The Goa Touch Rugby emerged champions of the 10th All India National Touch Rugby Championship, defeating 3-0 in the final, in Chattisgarh, on Friday.
The Goa Women’s team bagged the silver losing against Chattisgarh 1-2 in the final.
Goa hammered reigning champions Haryana 7-1 in the semi-finals while the Goa women’s squad beat Delhi 3-1 in the semi-finals to advance.
The All India National Touch Rugby Championships was held from December 27 to 29 with a total of 13 States participating in the championship. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Chattisgarh, Telangana, Chandigarh and Madhya Pradesh boosted the championships with some excellent touch rugby skills.
The event was organised by Federation of International Touch, Touch Rugby Federation of India and Chattisgarh Touch.
For Anish Quenim, President of Goa Rugby and Goa Touch, the main objective was to create a new breed of young ruggers; to promote a rugby culture and to give rugby its due as a sport to Goa.
“It’s really special feeling to finally get that label for all the efforts we as Goa have put in to develop this sport over the last 3 seasons. Our journey begins now. We are very proud of all involved, from the technical crew, Media, sponsors, associates, fans, players and families,” said a jubilant Anish. The sport was introduced in Goa just 3 years ago and now has over 5000 players of all ages, boys, girls and youth in over 100 schools, communities and clubs throughout the State.
“This one’s for “Amche Goa”. It was even more special when all the other 12 States came up to us and confirmed an Association for Development, making Goa as the base and also confirming around 5 Friendly Series through the year in Goa and around India, their Salute to our Sportsmanship was an icing on the Cake. This Gold and Silver to emerge as the Champions of India is our gift to the people of Goa this New Year’s Day Happy New Year,”
The top Try scorers in the Men’s team were Nauman Shaikh (6), Soham Shirodkar (6), Kaniel D’souza (5) and Ajay Nishad (4).
The Goa Rugby lifted the All India National Touch Rugby Championships trophy fulfilling many dreams, and fuelling the future ambitions of young players.
The GoaAmche Project by Goa Rugby and Goa Touch is powered by hospitality partners BanquetSPORTS, merchandise partners QRAB, Education partners Goa Psychology Association and media partners Goa Network7.
