In a vibrant display of athleticism and skill, Joga Bonito emerged as the champions of Mumbai’s inaugural Beach Soccer tournament for women. Organized by PCPL-UK United in association with the GoEqual Premier League, the event took place on the sun-kissed shores of Juhu beach recently. This landmark event was steered under the meticulous guidance of Mumbai Football Association (MFA) secretary Sudhakar Rane, with the organizational support from Maharashtra’s beach football team manager Ronald D’Souza and coach Preetam Mahadik.
The competition saw a robust participation from 10 teams, all fighting tooth and nail for the coveted top prize. The pinnacle of the tournament was the fiercely contested final match where Joga Bonito locked horns with Uncle’s Kitchen United. After an intense regulation period that ended scoreless, the champions were decided in a thrilling tie-breaker. Joga Bonito triumphed with a 3-2 win in the shootout, thanks to the impeccable efforts of Namrata Thakur, Rakhee Sawant, and VK Shrutilakshmi who did not falter from the penalty spot. In contrast, UK United’s Delfiya Pereira and Krishita Iyer were the only scorers for their side.
The individual feats in the tournament were equally noteworthy. Sapna Jaiswar from Joga Bonito was rightfully adjudged the best player of the tournament, showcasing exceptional prowess throughout the competition. Meanwhile, Meenakshi Bhagat of Uncle’s Kitchen United earned accolades for her goalkeeping skills, clinching the best goalkeeper title.
The participants were rewarded handsomely for their efforts. Joga Bonito took home a cash prize of Rs 25,000 while the runner-up, Uncle’s Kitchen United, bagged Rs 15,000. In an interview, MFA secretary Rane expressed immense pride in the achievements of the participants and the success of the event, highlighting Maharashtra’s leading position in women’s player registrations across India under the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Speaking to mid-day.com, he revealed plans for further promotion and development of the sport.
. “Our boys recently became runners-up at the Beach Festival organized by Daman and Diu and AIFF. Now, our focus shifts to empowering our girls to achieve similar heights. We want to promote beach soccer tournaments for girls, aiming to elevate their performance and inspire greater participation in this exciting sport,” Rane stated.
Adding to this, Ronald D’Souza assured that the fruitful collaboration with MFA would pave the way for more tournaments in the future. “The MFA have communicated to us that they are very keen to spread beach football across the state, and this tournament is a step in that direction. To promote beach football and futsal, we plan to organize more such events across Mumbai’s beaches and even along Maharashtra’s coastline to unearth new talent,” D’Souza remarked.
The success of this tournament not only marked a significant milestone in women’s beach soccer but also sowed the seeds for a burgeoning interest in the sport. The MFA and the organizing teams are committed to fostering this enthusiasm by offering more platforms for women athletes to showcase their talent. This concerted effort promises to bring beach soccer into the limelight, potentially revolutionizing the beach sports culture in Mumbai and Maharashtra.
The cornerstone of these initiatives lies in the inclusive and empowering approach championed by the organizers and the association. They envision increased engagement from young aspiring female athletes, making beach soccer a staple sport not just in seasonal festivities but as an integral part of the athletic calendar.
With this commitment to the sport and the successful execution of the inaugural tournament, the future looks bright for beach soccer enthusiasts. The road ahead will likely see more dynamic involvements, elaborate events, and a substantial push towards inclusive growth in the sport. This tournament has set the stage for a vibrant sporting future, resonating with the energy and spirit of Mumbai’s coastline.
As Joga Bonito basks in their well-deserved victory, the beach soccer community eagerly awaits the next wave of competitions. The horizon is expansive, filled with the promise of sporting breakthroughs and the emergence of new stars, poised to etch their names in the annals of beach soccer history.
