Debutant Dempo Challengers lifted the Casino Pride Badminton Pro League (BPL) 2026 Edition 2.0 trophy in style at the Indoor Stadium, Campal on Sunday, defeating Prassa Challengers 120-104 in an exciting final.
Making their maiden entry into Goa’s badminton league ecosystem, Dempo Challengers enjoyed a dream debut season, remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament to emerge deserving champions. Earlier in the league stage, Dempo Challengers topped the standings with five wins from five matches, followed by Prassa Challengers, while Salkar Smashers and Tax Gladiators battled it out for third place. The tournament featured six corporate teams competing in a round robin league format, with the top two teams qualifying for the final and the third and fourth placed teams contesting the 3rd place match.
The final witnessed spirited performances from both teams in the unique relay format comprising seven men’s doubles and one mixed doubles match, with the first team to reach 120 points declared winners. After trailing in the opening two rubbers, Dempo Challengers staged a strong comeback through key performances by Anirban Sen / Samir Sangodkar, Mukesh Gauns / Rushin Joshi and Arjun Fallary (Captain) / Soham Naik to take firm control of the contest before sealing the title 120-104 against Prassa Challengers.
Earlier, in the 3rd place match, Tax Gladiators edged past Salkar Smashers 120-117 in another closely fought encounter. Kapil Kanji and Wilson D’Souza played a crucial role for Tax Gladiators with a decisive 21-12 victory in the seventh men’s doubles rubber that turned the momentum in their favour. Each tie in the league was played in a relay format featuring seven doubles and one mixed doubles match, adding to the excitement and strategic nature of the competition. Priority Titans and Synaptic Warriors were the other two teams that competed in the League.
Rushin Joshi and Mukesh Gauns were adjudged the Impact Pair of the Finals, while Kapil Kanji and Wilson D’Souza were named the Impact Pair of the 3rd Place Match. Soham Naik won the MVP Men award, Malaika Lobo bagged the MVP Women award and Sudhanva Udupa was declared MVP Juniors. The champions Dempo Challengers received a prize purse of Rs 2,00,000/-, while runners-up Prassa Challengers were awarded Rs 1,45,000/- and third placed Tax Gladiators received Rs 1,15,000/- besides glittering trophies. Individual prizes of Rs 2000/- and Plant Protein Sponsored by Fast & Up were awarded to MVPs.
Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte graced the finals along with former India cricketer Shikha Pandey, Goa Badminton Association President Manoj Patil, Secretary Praveen Shenoy, Treasurer Sanjay Bhobe, BPL Founder Navneet Nasnodkar, Co-Partner Upendra Pai Raikar, Clint Fernandes and Tejwant Singh from Casino Pride and other dignitaries.
