Tag: Goa International Airport

Sports

All India Public Sector Football Tournament 2025–26 Kicks Off in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

The All India Public Sector Football Tournament 2025–26 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 players’ 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 India’s public sector community, setting the stage for spirited performances in the days ahead.

Sports

AAI Kicks Off Inter-PSU Football Championship 2026: A Celebration of Synergy, Sportsmanship and the Spirit ofthe Game

Tanisha Cardozo

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has officially kicked off the Inter-PSU Football Championship 2026, transforming Goa into a hub of competitive sport, camaraderie, and celebration. Designed as a premier sporting platform for India’s Public Sector Undertakings, the tournament reflects AAI’s continued commitment to fostering fitness, teamwork, and a vibrant sports culture within the public sector.

The championship brings together 12 elite PSU teams, including AAI, Bank of Baroda, Coal India, CAG, EPFO, ESIC, FCI, RBI, SAIL, Union Bank and others. Over the course of a week, these teams will compete in a league-cum-knockout format, ensuring intense matches, high-energy performances, and sustained engagement for players and spectators alike.

Beyond competition, the tournament carries a larger purpose. It seeks to strengthen inter-organizational bonds and promote a “Fit India” lifestyle among employees, reinforcing the idea that physical fitness and teamwork are essential to professional excellence. The football pitch becomes a shared space where collaboration, resilience, and mutual respect take centre stage.

Speaking on the occasion, Flt. Lt. Akash Deep, Airport Director, Goa International Airport, Dabolim, highlighted the broader vision behind the initiative. He noted that the spirit of collaboration witnessed on the football field directly translates into professional synergy, adding that the tournament is not merely about scoring goals, but about building unity and shared purpose within the public sector. He also described the championship as a major football event coinciding with the vibrant Goa Carnival season.

The Inter-PSU Football Championship 2026 will be held from 14th to 19th February 2026, with matches hosted at two prominent venues—PJN Stadium, Fatorda, and Rosary Ground Stadium, Navelim. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 15th February 2026 at 9:00 am at PJN Stadium, Fatorda, and will be graced by Shri Vipin Kumar, IAS, Chairman, Airports Authority of India.

As a Mini Ratna Category-I Public Sector Enterprise, the Airports Authority of India plays a pivotal role in developing and managing India’s civil aviation infrastructure. Through initiatives such as the Inter-PSU Football Championship, AAI continues to extend its impact beyond airports—championing employee welfare, community engagement, and the unifying power of sport.

With football, fitness, and fellowship at its core, the Inter-PSU Football Championship 2026 stands as a celebration of “Team India” beyond office walls.

Travel

GCCI Seeks Alternative Route on NH-66 for Smooth Movement of Air Cargo; North Goa Collector Responds Positively

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has taken up the urgent issue of restricted movement of heavy commercial vehicles on NH-66, which has been adversely affecting air cargo operations to Goa International Airport, Dabolim, and Manohar International Airport, Mopa.


A GCCI delegation comprising Mr. Chandrakant Gawas, Chairman – GCCI Logistics Committee; Mr. Sanjay Amonkar, Director General, GCCI; Foreign Trade Officer Mr. Sanket Kaskar, GCCI; along with representatives from GMR, Mr. Purshottam and Mr. Satyajeet, met Mr. Ankit Yadav, IAS, Collector and District Magistrate, North Goa, to discuss the operational challenges faced by exporters and importers due to traffic restrictions and ongoing infrastructure works on NH-66.

During the meeting, GCCI highlighted the severe difficulties faced by six-wheeler and above commercial vehicles transporting time-sensitive air cargo, particularly from key industrial estates. The restrictions have significantly impacted sectors such as pharmaceuticals, perishables, and e-commerce, where strict adherence to flight cut-off timings is critical.

GCCI requested the notification and opening of an alternative route on NH-66 to ensure uninterrupted daytime movement of heavy commercial vehicles, smooth connectivity to Manohar International Airport, Mopa, removal of abandoned vehicles obstructing traffic, and prevention of garbage dumping along the highway.

The delegation also drew attention to the increasing number of accidents on the Porvorim road amid ongoing infrastructure works. GCCI urged the deployment of dedicated traffic police personnel, stricter speed monitoring, improved road signage, creation of dedicated lanes where feasible, and awareness initiatives to promote safer road usage.

Emphasizing the need for stronger logistics infrastructure, GCCI called for the establishment of designated truck termini in both North and South Goa to address traffic congestion and unregulated parking. The Chamber further highlighted the issue of indiscriminate garbage dumping along highways, posing hygiene and safety risks, and sought stricter enforcement and improved waste management measures.

Additionally, GCCI requested stricter traffic regulation on the Dayanand Bandodkar Road from Divja Circle to the ferry point, where continuous traffic congestion is observed due to irregular parking and traffic rule violations. The Chamber also informed the Collector about rent-a-car vehicles and taxis occupying parking spaces in city areas, inconveniencing citizens visiting for work, and sought strict action against such violations.

Responding positively, Mr. Ankit Yadav, IAS, assured the delegation that the concerns raised would be examined in coordination with the concerned departments to arrive at a practical and workable solution. The proposed measures are expected to ease congestion and ensure smooth movement of goods to the GMR-operated Manohar International Airport, Mopa, thereby strengthening Goa’s air cargo ecosystem.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr. Chandrakant Gawas, Chairman – GCCI Logistics Committee, stated that improved logistics connectivity is crucial for sustaining Goa’s competitiveness in exports and trade. GCCI also expressed its willingness to participate in joint inspections or surveys to identify the most feasible alternative routes.

The initiative is expected to bring significant relief to exporters, manufacturers, MSMEs, and logistics operators, reinforcing Goa’s position as a reliable hub for trade and air cargo movement.

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Goa’s infrastructure growth receives global recognition as Dabolim Airport named best AAI Airport

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In a significant milestone for Goa’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 Goa’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 Airport’s exceptional service quality and passenger experience, placing it ahead of Chennai International Airport and Tiruchirappalli International Airport.

Goa’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 government’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, “The top ranking of Dabolim Airport reflects Goa’s dedication to excellence in hospitality and infrastructure. We are committed to further enhancing the state’s connectivity through strategic investments in tourism infrastructure, ensuring that Goa remains a world-class destination for travellers from across the globe.”

Shri George Varughese, Airport Director, Goa International Airport, Dabolim stated, “With 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.”

The Government of Goa remains focused on sustainable and regenerative tourism, ensuring that infrastructure development harmonizes with the state’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.