Goa’s pickleball team dominated the 9th All India Pickleball Association Nationals in Jammu, winning multiple medals and claiming the Veterans Team title. Standout players Noel Noronha and Audrey Menezes each won two gold medals, showcasing Goa’s growing strength in the sport.
Goa Players Sweep Gold Medals
Noel Noronha won gold in the 50+ Men’s Singles and teamed with Wilfred Jaques to clinch the 50+ Men’s Doubles. Audrey Menezes mirrored his success, taking gold in the 50+ Women’s Singles and pairing with Clarence Noronha to win the 50+ Mixed Doubles. James Anderson and Parag Joshi also added gold in the 60+ Men’s Doubles.
Strong Performances Beyond Gold
Other players helped boost Goa’s medal tally. James Anderson earned silver in the 60+ Men’s Singles. Nihaal Borkar and Ruta Borkar claimed silver in the 35+ Mixed Doubles. Rising star Tvisha Sardesai won bronze in the U16 Girls Singles. Overall, Goa secured five golds and two silvers to become Veterans Team winners.
Some players narrowly missed medals. Aarin Ballani (U14 Boys), Taksh Parekh (U16 Boys), and Rajaram Kundaikar (35+ Men’s Singles) lost their bronze playoffs. Aarin Ballani and Taksh Parekh exited the U16 Boys Doubles quarterfinals, while Ajay Sardesai and Vinod Parkkot fell in the 50+ Doubles quarterfinals. Nihaal Borkar was eliminated in the pre-quarterfinals of the 35+ Men’s Singles against a top-seeded Maharashtra player.
Growing Pickleball in Goa
Mayur Sawkar, President of the Goa Pickleball Association, said,
“The Nationals highlight the talent and potential of pickleball in Goa. With new courts coming up at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias, Panjim Gymkhana, BPS Sports Club, and other private venues, the sport is growing rapidly, and Goa can truly emerge as a Pickleball destination.”
Secretary Mangirish Kunde added,
“Our practice sessions before the Nationals have clearly paid off. Strong communities in Panjim, Margao, Vasco, and other towns are driving the sport’s growth.”
Goa’s victories show the state’s rising role in Indian pickleball. With more courts and active local communities, the state is likely to continue producing top players and achieving strong results in future national events.
News in Brief: Noel Noronha and Audrey Menezes
Goa dominated the 9th All India Pickleball Association Nationals in Jammu, winning five golds and two silvers. Noel Noronha and Audrey Menezes each claimed two golds. Goa secured the Veterans Team title. Rising players like Tvisha Sardesai also earned medals, reflecting the state’s growing strength in pickleball.