Team Herald
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CANACONA: Tiswadi Taluka emerged overall champion of the 9th State Level Tribal Sports Festival 2025-26, scoring 120 points at the three-day event held at the Adarsh Khel Gram, Amone-Canacona.
All taluka teams participated in the festival, which showcased a range of traditional and modern sporting competitions, with individual excellence recognised across disciplines.
Kabaddi saw Quepem dominate both men’s and women’s events, with the men finishing first, followed by Tiswadi and Ponda, while the women’s podium comprised Quepem, Pernem and Salcete.
Individual accolades went to Rama Velip (Quepem) as the best defender and Devidas Velip (Quepem) as the best raider in the men’s section. The women’s awards were claimed by Saiesha Velip (best defender) and Savita Raikar (best raider), both from Quepem.
In Kho-Kho, Sanguem clinched the men’s title ahead of Canacona and Pernem, while the women’s trophy went to Canacona, with Ponda securing second and Pernem third place. Individual honours for men included best defender Deepak Gaonkar (Sanguem) and best attacker Yash Velip (Canacona). Women’s awards went to Praseedi Zavarkar (best defender) and Mandali Gaonkar (best attacker), both from Canacona.
Volleyball action saw Tiswadi take the men’s championship, with Canacona finishing second and Quepem third place. The women’s winners were Sanguem, with Tiswadi and Canacona following. Best smasher in men’s volleyball was Tejas Gauns (Tiswadi), with Bhushan Gaonkar (Canacona) named as the best lifter. Women’s honours went to Tanishka Gauns (best smasher, Tiswadi) and Nikita Gaonkar (best lifter, Sanguem).
In tennis ball cricket, Tiswadi’s men topped the leaderboard, followed by Quepem and Pernem. Bicholim’s
Tiswadi crowned champs at State Tribal Sports Festival
