Panjim Gymkhana Members League 2.0 auction in its second edition, saw the six teams – Baale Tigers, Dempo Challengers, Manas Mavericks, Prescon Panthers, Priority Titans and RC Goa – battle it out at the players auction to create their teams from 148 cricket players, states a press release.
The T20 cricket tournament is scheduled to kick-off in January 2023 and has a purse of 2 lakhs for the winning team and 1 lakh for the runners-up in addition to other prizes.
U25 state player, 19-year-old Manish Pai Kakode was picked by Team Manas Mavericks while Ranji probables player Vedant Naik was selected by Priority Titans.
Mukhtar Kadri bagged the highest bid offer of 85 lakh points after a round of fierce bidding between teams. He will be playing for Priority Titans this year. Harshad Gadekar came second with a bid offer of 64 lakh points and went to RC Goa. Buddhadev Mangaldas came a close third with an offer of 55 lakh points made by Prescon Panthers.
The team jerseys were unveiled at the auction by the team owners and representatives- Kapil Angle for Baale Tigers; Tanmay Kholkar, Team Owner, Manas Mavericks; Vinay Kedia, Team Owner, Prescon Panthers, Shrinivas Dempo, Team Owner, Dempo Challengers; Rajesh Dessai, Team Owner, RC Goa and Parind Nachinolkar, Team Owner, Priority Titans – in the presence of Manoj Caculo, President and Rajesh Khaunte, Hon. Secretary Panjim Gymkhana.
“We have successfully created a T20 league in Goa. The auction was power-packed as the six teams put together their teams. This year’s edition will be on a whole other level. PGML 2.0 will be a carnival of cricket with a purse money of 2 lakhs for the winning team and 1 lakh for the runners-up,”said Manoj Caculo, President, Panjim Gymkhana.
“The stage is now set for the league which will kick off in January 2023 and bring together cricket fans and supporters to come and witness the teams in action at the prestigious Panjim Gymkhana cricket ground in Panaji”, honorary secretary of the Panjim Gymkhana, Rajesh Khaunte said.
Dempo Challengers team owner Shrinivas Dempo said: “It was a privilege to be part of the first edition and we look forward to PGML 2.0. Panjim Gymkhana has played a very catalytic role in the development of sport and the foundation set up by the first CM of Goa has given an impetus to cricket. PGML is a step in the right direction. We are sure people will come forward to support players and the league. ”
Iftikar Agha, Co-owner of Prescon Panthers defending champions, said,”PGML 2.0 will witness healthy competition between teams especially with the addition of two more teams. Its going to be an excellent league this season.”
Added Tanmay Kholkar, Team Owner, Manas Mavericks, “The teams will play a competitive game on the pitch with a lot of camaraderie. All the teams have spent a considerable time to plan out the strategy in team selection for the auction and subsequent training sessions. We are in the reckoning and its going to be a cracker of a league.”
Rajesh Dessai, Team Owner, RC Goa said, “We will be a competitive team who will play the sport in the spirit of the game. We are privileged to be part of PGML 2.0. We hope PGML 2.0 encourage more cricket in the state.”
Parind Nachinolcar, Team Owner, Priority Titans added, “We are excited to be part of PGML 2.0 which is a fun sporting event filled with excitement and enthusiasm. We look forward to meeting the teams on the pitch.”
Six teams will battle for supremacy in the league, which will be played in a round robin format. The inaugural game of the tournament will be played on 7th January, 2023.
The league is supported by Grant Thornton, Majestic Pride, New Vrundavan and Golden Goa.
