On the occasion of National Sports Day, observed annually to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, Sesa Goa, a Vedanta Limited company, reflects on a legacy deeply intertwined with sports development in India. The 2025 theme, “Sport to Promote Peaceful Societies,” aligns seamlessly with Sesa Goa’s long-standing commitment to empowering youth and communities through sports.
For over seven decades, Sesa Goa has actively promoted sports across its operational locations. Between 1954 and 1991-92, it ran the Sesa Sports Club, before launching the Sesa Football Academy (SFA) in 1999 at its reclaimed mines in Sanquelim. Over the last 26 years, the SFA has nurtured the dreams of over 8000 young footballers through structured training, football camps, tournaments, and professional pathways. The academy’s senior men’s team was runner-up in the 2023-24 Goa Pro League and advanced to the I-League 3. Remarkably, 12 SFA graduates have gone on to represent India internationally, including notable names like Denzil Franco, Adil Khan, Pratesh Shirodkar, and Glan Martins.
What sets the SFA apart is its unique model — it operates as a non-commercial, CSR-driven initiative that has endured and expanded even during mining bans and economic downturns. Its primary goal is to provide rural youth with access to world-class training and opportunities through sport. The academy has been recognised with a prestigious 3-star accreditation by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), one of just 15 such institutions nationwide and the only one from Goa.
Keeping with evolving times, the SFA has also ventured into women’s football with great success. Since 2017, it has financially supported the Vedanta Women’s League (VWL), now an established breeding ground for women’s football talent in the state. Across 8 seasons, the VWL has supported over 1400 aspiring women footballers. The SFA’s senior women’s team clinched the VWL title in 2025 and went on to secure an impressive 3rd-place finish in the IWL2 — a first for a Goan team. Rising star Pearl Fernandes is currently representing India at the U-17 SAFF Women’s Championship, following in the footsteps of other SFA-trained internationals like Karishma Shirvoikar and Michel Castanha.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Navin Jaju, CEO of Vedanta Sesa Goa, said, “At Vedanta Sesa Goa, we believe sport is a catalyst for transformation. Through the Sesa Football Academy (SFA), we’re nurturing grassroots talent—creating pathways for youth from rural areas to represent India and build secure futures. The SFA Senior Women’s Team’s recent IWL2 performance and the success of players like Pearl Fernandes highlight our commitment to professional training and inclusive growth.”
SFA continues to build the football ecosystem in Goa by organizing a variety of youth tournaments, such as the U-15 Youth Cup for boys and the Sesa Vedanta U-15 Tournament for girls. The Vedanta Football Championship is another key event that brings rural talent into the spotlight, providing a platform for aspiring footballers to shine.
The SFA’s impact has also been praised by Dr. Caitano Fernandes, President of the Goa Football Association (GFA), who stated, “I extend my best wishes to SFA on the occasion of National Sports Day. Sesa Goa has supported hundreds of footballers from Goa and has contributed tremendously to Indian football. Its backing of the Vedanta Women’s League has elevated women’s football in Goa to new heights.”
Beyond football, Vedanta Sesa Goa is actively engaged in supporting other athletes. It has provided extensive support—both financial and logistical—to para-athlete Sakshi Kale, who recently secured a silver medal at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 in Delhi and two bronze medals at the Tata India Open Para Athletics Championships. Additionally, Sesa Goa has promoted badminton through the Vedanta Ultimate Badminton League (VUBL), as well as cricket tournaments across its locations—ensuring that athletes from all backgrounds and sports receive holistic support.
Through decades of sustained efforts, Sesa Goa has proven that sports can be a powerful tool for social transformation. On National Sports Day, the success of the Sesa Football Academy, its women’s and para-sports programs, and its role in building inclusive sporting ecosystems stands as a shining example of how corporate responsibility can truly uplift a nation through the medium of sport.
