Tag: Grassroots Football

Sports

Jason Dmelo Sets Sights on Greater National Presence for Sesa Football Academy

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Panaji, July 27, 2025 — In a move symbolizing legacy and progress, Jason Dmelo has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Sesa Football Academy (SFA). An alumnus of the very academy he now leads, Jason’s appointment is not just a personal milestone but a strategic step forward for SFA’s broader ambitions.

Announcing the appointment, Ms. Leena Verenkar, Head CSR at Sesa Goa, said,

“We are extremely happy to have Mr. Jason Dmelo on board. His rich experience and expertise in football will immensely contribute to our endeavours in nurturing grassroots talent and elevating SFA to national and international prominence.”

Jason holds an AFC ‘B’ License and has served the academy in various coaching roles including Goalkeeping Coach and Assistant Coach for U-17, U-19, and U-21 teams. His football journey spans playing for clubs like Salgaocar FC and Calangute Association, and coaching at GFDC and Piedade Youth Club.

With SFA’s #LetsFootballForIndia initiative gaining momentum, the Academy is actively expanding its national footprint in both men’s and women’s football. Jason’s recent achievements as a coach — from winning the U-17 Dream Sports Championship to leading teams in the Reliance Foundation Development League — highlight his readiness for the role.

Reflecting on his appointment, Jason said,

“It’s an honour to return to where it all started. I look forward to helping SFA scale new heights and inspire the next generation of footballers.”

SFA, Vedanta Sesa Goa’s flagship CSR initiative, has trained over 230 players, with 11 representing India internationally. It also organizes major grassroots events like the Vedanta Youth Cup and Vedanta Women’s League, nurturing talent from rural regions.

With this leadership transition, SFA is poised to make a strong push onto the national football map, and Jason Dmelo is ready to lead that charge.

Sports

Batora United Edge Out St. Anthony 1-0 to Reach Caniza Peixoto Memorial Quarterfinals

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Curtorim, Goa — Batora United Football Club advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2nd Caniza Peixoto Memorial Football Tournament with a gritty 1-0 victory over a resilient St. Anthony FC, in a match organized by Black Arrow Boys Agxem Sports Club at the St. Alex Church ground in Curtorim.

The match began with both sides showing attacking intent, but it was St. Anthony who appeared the more threatening in the early stages. In the 12th minute, Lester Dias unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box that looked destined for the net, but Batora’s goalkeeper Caitano Gomes produced a brilliant diving save to tip the ball over for a corner, setting the tone for his standout performance.

Batora United responded with precision in the 22nd minute. A swift attacking move saw Shown Dias deliver a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Alynir Fernandes, who coolly slotted the ball past the advancing St. Anthony keeper to give Batora a 1-0 lead — a lead they would hold onto for the rest of the match.

The second half saw St. Anthony intensify their attack, led by the midfield trio of Sneden, Lester, and Celvino, who worked tirelessly to create openings. However, Batora’s defence remained composed and organized, frustrating their opponents at every turn.

Time and again, St. Anthony pressed forward, but Caitano Gomes stood firm, commanding his area with authority and pulling off a string of vital saves that kept his side in the lead. His heroic efforts earned him the Man of the Match award, which was presented by Silvester Silveira, a member of the organizing Agxem Sports Club.

As the final whistle blew, Batora United celebrated a hard-earned win that not only showcased their resilience but also underlined their ambitions in the tournament. They now move confidently into the quarterfinals, eyeing a deep run in this prestigious local competition held in memory of Caniza Peixoto.

Sports

Manchester United stars Harry Maguire, André Onana and Diogo Dalot launch the fifth edition of United We Play

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Mumbai, May 29, 2025: Leading tyre maker Apollo Tyres today announced the launch of the fifth edition of its flagship grassroots football programme, United We Play (UWP), in the presence of Manchester United players Harry Maguire, André Onana and Diogo Dalot.

Supported by Manchester United, United We Play is a pan-India initiative by Apollo Tyres to support young footballers in India by giving them a platform to showcase their skills with the objective of motivating aspiring footballers to continue playing, by engaging with them, and introducing them to global training methods.

Harry Maguire, André Onana and Diogo Dalot, who are on their maiden visit to India, officially launched and kicked off the activities for the fifth season of the United We Play programme. Over the past four seasons, the United We Play programme has reached out to over 30000 aspiring footballers across 25 cities in India.

Speaking at the launch, Harry Maguire said, “It has been a privilege to be here today launching the new season of ‘United We Play’. Manchester United has fans around the world and we can feel the passion that exists for the team and for the sport here in India. The work of the club and Apollo Tyres is ensuring the next generation of talent has the opportunity play football in excellent facilities, with the infrastructure around them to nurture talent. We have seen first-hand today how impactful the United We Play programme is and the positive effect it has at the grassroots level.”

Rajesh Dahiya, Vice President, Commercial (India, SAARC and Southeast Asia), Apollo Tyres Ltd said, “As our flagship football programme, United We Play is of immense importance for Apollo Tyres and we are extremely proud to see it grow year after year. This is the fifth season of the initiative, and the reach and response over the past four years has been phenomenal. This year’s launch is extra special owing to the presence of global stars such as Harry Maguire, André Onana and Diogo Dalot and we thank them as well as our partners Manchester United for helping us to grow the programme further.”

The fourth season was an overwhelming success last year which concluded with the visit of Manchester United legend Gary Neville, wherein more than 15,000 young footballers from across the country participated. It reached out to 18 cities pan-India and over 100 coaches were engaged through virtual Manchester United Soccer Schools training sessions, ensuring that the teachings and training methods reached every footballer involved in the programme. In addition, the initiative was also expanded to more cities in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions across cities such as Kathmandu, Bangkok, Dhaka and Dubai.

The initial phase of the programme will be run by domestic coaches, before young footballers get a chance to impress coaches from the Manchester United Soccer School (MUSS). The best performers from across locations, will participate in the grand finale of the competition, and winners will get a trip to Manchester, with several experiential activities at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.

Sports

India Khelo Football Revolutionizes Grassroots Football with TYGER-IKF Season 5 Launch in Goa

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In a groundbreaking move, India Khelo Football (IKF), a pioneering non-profit initiative, launched its TYGER-IKF Season 5 trials at the Sesa Academy Ground in Goa. This ambitious project aims to cover over 125 cities across India and extend its reach to five neighboring countries, providing a platform for Indian expatriates to showcase their talent.


IKF is poised to transform the Indian football landscape by offering a unique platform for democratizing football scouting across the nation. Unlike traditional clubs, academies, agents, or player management companies, IKF provides a structured and transparent pathway for grassroots footballers to reach professional opportunities.


The inaugural event in Goa saw enthusiastic participation from over 200 young footballers, highlighting the region’s vibrant football culture. The energy and commitment on display were further reinforced by the local community, including parents and key stakeholders, who expressed excitement and requested that IKF extend its trials to South Goa to tap into talent from across the state.

“At India Khelo Football (IKF), our mission has always been to provide a structured and transparent pathway for grassroots footballers to reach professional opportunities,” said Phani Bhushan, Founder, India Khelo Football (IKF). “The launch of TYGER-IKF Season 5 in Goa marks a significant milestone in our journey, expanding our reach to over 125 cities in India and five neighboring countries.”


IKF remains committed to ensuring accessibility and fairness, offering aspiring players an affordable platform with no hidden costs. This initiative thrives on the collective support of football enthusiasts, corporate sponsors, and dedicated volunteers who believe in the future of Indian football.


The TYGER-IKF Season 5 trials in Goa kicked off with an impressive turnout, as over 200 young footballers eagerly showcased their skills. The well-organized trials featured structured match play and individual assessments, ensuring every participant had a fair chance to impress the scouts and secure a spot in the next phase.

With this initiative, IKF is set to revolutionize grassroots football in India, providing a platform for aspiring footballers to shine and reinforcing Goa’s rich footballing heritage. As IKF continues to expand its reach, the future of Indian football looks brighter than ever.