Sports

All India Public Sector Football Tournament 2025โ€“26 Kicks Off in Goa


The All India Public Sector Football Tournament 2025โ€“26 was inaugurated in Goa in a grand ceremony led by Vipin Kumar, IAS, Chairman of the Airports Authority of India. The prestigious tournament brings together 12 elite teams representing leading Public Sector Undertakings from across the country, highlighting the spirit of unity and competitive excellence within the public sector.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Nivedita Dubey, Member (HR); Prem Prasad N, Regional Executive Director (WR); Suneel Dutt, Executive Director CNS; and Flt Lt Akash Deep Mathur, Airport Director, Goa International Airport. The presence of senior leadership underscored the importance of sports in fostering teamwork and camaraderie among public sector organisations.

Flt Lt Akash Deep Mathur welcomed the distinguished guests and participating teams, setting a positive tone for the tournament. The event was formally inaugurated with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp and flag waving by the Chairman and dignitaries, symbolising the beginning of the competition.

Addressing the gathering, Chairman Vipin Kumar encouraged the teams to uphold the values of team spirit, sportsmanship, resilience and discipline. He emphasised that tournaments such as these not only promote physical fitness but also strengthen bonds between organisations and inspire collective excellence.

The opening ceremony was marked by vibrant cultural programmes, including traditional Goan folk dance performances, adding local colour and celebration to the occasion. A grand playersโ€™ parade accompanied by a brass band further elevated the atmosphere, as participating teams marched with pride.

With 12 top PSU teams competing, the tournament promises exciting matches and high-level football action. Beyond the competition, the event stands as a celebration of unity, discipline and sporting excellence within Indiaโ€™s public sector community, setting the stage for spirited performances in the days ahead.

Travel

AAI, Travel Food Services Host Christmas Celebrations at Dabolim Airport


Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Travel Desk

The Airports Authority of India, Dabolim Airport, in association with Travel Food Services Limited, organised a Christmas celebration at the Travel Club Lounge at Dabolim Airport, Goa, on December 23, 2025, marking the festive season with warmth and joy while enhancing the overall passenger experience.

The celebration featured a delightful blend of culinary indulgence and festive activities. Passengers and guests were treated to a special Christmas masterclass showcasing the preparation of Crepes Suzette with Orange Sauce, highlighting culinary expertise and service excellence. Adding to the festive charm, children participated in a hands-on cookie decoration activity, while a Santa entourage spread cheer and excitement throughout the lounge area.

Extending the spirit of Christmas beyond the lounge, muffins were distributed to children across the airport terminal, ensuring young travellers also shared in the festive joy. The initiative brought smiles to passengers and families alike, creating a lively and welcoming ambience throughout the airport.

The Christmas celebration reflected the joint commitment of Airports Authority of India and Travel Food Services Limited to curate engaging and culturally relevant festive experiences within the airport environment. By integrating hospitality, culinary engagement and thoughtful festive gestures into the passenger journey, Dabolim Airport continues to strengthen its position as a customer-centric and experience-driven aviation hub.

Flt Lt Akash Deep, Airport Director, along with senior officials from the Airports Authority of India, CISF, airline representatives and other stakeholders, were present during the celebrations.

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Goaโ€™s infrastructure growth receives global recognition as Dabolim Airport named best AAI Airport


In a significant milestone for Goaโ€™s aviation sector, the Goa International Airport at Dabolim has been ranked as the best airport under the Airports Authority of India (AAI), based on the ASQ rating in the prestigious ACI-ASQ Survey 2024. This recognition reaffirms Goaโ€™s commitment to providing world-class infrastructure and seamless travel experiences to visitors.

The announcement, made on the 30th Annual Day of AAI, highlighted Dabolim Airportโ€™s exceptional service quality and passenger experience, placing it ahead of Chennai International Airport and Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

Goaโ€™s tourism industry has witnessed robust growth, supported by significant improvements in connectivity and infrastructure. The state continues to enhance its transport facilities and develop sustainable tourism initiatives to ensure a superior experience for both domestic and international travellers. The ongoing expansion of tourism-related amenities aligns with the governmentโ€™s vision of making Goa a premier travel destination while preserving its cultural and environmental integrity.

Shri Kedar Naik, Director Tourism, Government of Goa, expressed his enthusiasm about the recognition, stating, โ€œThe top ranking of Dabolim Airport reflects Goaโ€™s dedication to excellence in hospitality and infrastructure. We are committed to further enhancing the stateโ€™s connectivity through strategic investments in tourism infrastructure, ensuring that Goa remains a world-class destination for travellers from across the globe.โ€

Shri George Varughese, Airport Director, Goa International Airport, Dabolim stated, โ€œWith great pride and immense pleasure I would like to announce that Goa international Airport, Dabolim has been awarded 1st rank among AAI Airports in India for ASQ rating in ACI -ASQ survey of 2024. This prestigious award is for outstanding service quality and passenger experiences. This recognition of our efforts makes us responsible as a team to serve better in providing state of art passenger facilities.โ€

The Government of Goa remains focused on sustainable and regenerative tourism, ensuring that infrastructure development harmonizes with the stateโ€™s rich heritage and natural beauty. From improved road networks to the expansion of eco-friendly tourism facilities, Goa continues to set new benchmarks in responsible tourism development.