Lloyd Fernandes, a para table tennis athlete from Taleigao, Goa, has been selected to represent India at the upcoming ITTF Asian Para Championships 2025, to be held in Beijing from October 13 to 19. Currently ranked No. 1 in India in the Class 2 para table tennis category, Lloyd has proudly represented India twice this year at prestigious international events.
He competed at the ITTF World Para Challenger in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, on July 2, 2025, and at the ITTF Al-Watani Para Championships 2023 in Amman, Jordan. Lloyd has also earned several national accolades, including gold medals at the Para Table Tennis National Championships and Ranking Championships held in Baroda (March 2025), Indore (March 2024), Ahmedabad (July 2023), and the Khelo India Para Games in Delhi (December 2023). His earlier achievements include silver medals at the National Para Table Tennis Championships in Indore in 2022 and 2023, and a bronze medal at the Purple Fest All India Para TT Open Championship held in Goa in January 2023.
Coached by Selwyn Godinho and supported steadfastly by his wife Stephanie da Costa, Lloyd’s commitment and achievements continue to inspire many across India. The Disability Rights Association of Goa has congratulated him on his selection and urged the Honorable Chief Minister to expedite his pending Group A government post application under the Sports Category, which has been awaiting approval for two months.
Lloyd Fernandes’ journey is a testament to perseverance, talent, and dedication, marking a significant milestone for para sports in Goa and India. His participation in the Asian Para Championships is expected to boost the visibility and support for para athletes nationwide.
In a landmark celebration of International Tourism Day 2025, Goa took a historic step toward inclusive tourism by hosting its first-ever Inclusive Boat Cruise on September 26, 2025. Organized by the Travel & Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, this unique initiative offered persons with disabilities the opportunity to experience the beauty of the Mandovi River—a privilege often denied due to both physical and attitudinal barriers.
The cruise, which began from the Santa Monica Jetty in Panaji, welcomed over 60 participants with disabilities, despite heavy rains. Around 15 volunteers without disabilities joined them, not as aides but as equal participants, creating a truly inclusive atmosphere. For many, especially adult participants with disabilities from diverse professions such as teaching, entrepreneurship, government service, and para sports, this was their first time on a boat cruise—an experience both joyful and empowering.
Unlike previous efforts that largely focused on school students with disabilities, this event broke new ground by engaging adults, reflecting a broader and more inclusive vision. It emphasized that persons with disabilities are not just recipients of support but contributors to social and cultural life. This shift in narrative is critical in building a society that sees inclusion as a norm, not an exception.
Director of the Department of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, highlighted that the enthusiastic response to the cruise was a powerful indicator of the growing interest in community-based, inclusive tourism in Goa. He affirmed the department’s commitment to continue curating such experiences across the state, which reflect Goa’s dedication to diversity, accessibility, and sustainability.
The concept of the Inclusive Cruise was initiated by Shri Jack Sukhija, President of TTAG, whose vision and commitment turned an ambitious idea into a heartwarming reality. His leadership, along with the backing of key tourism stakeholders, ensured that the event was not only accessible but dignified and celebratory.
Shri Vishant Nagvekar, member of the State Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities and a participant in the cruise, expressed deep gratitude to the organizers. He emphasized that this event went beyond symbolic inclusion. It created a rare and much-needed platform for persons with disabilities to connect, share life experiences, and feel genuinely seen and valued. Such events, he noted, are essential for building inclusive communities where stories of resilience, courage, and everyday victories can be shared and celebrated.
As the cruise sailed through Goa’s scenic river under cloudy skies, the participants laughed, danced, and connected with one another. The rain could not dampen the spirit of what was clearly more than just a ride—it was a statement. A statement that accessible tourism is not just desirable but absolutely achievable when intention meets action.
Goa’s first Inclusive Boat Cruise is not the final destination but the beginning of a new journey—one where every person, regardless of ability, has the right to explore, participate, and enjoy the world around them.
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.
Campal, Goa | August 2025: Goa’s para athletes once again proved their mettle at the 9th YMCA Para Table Tennis Ranking Tournament, held at the iconic Campal Indoor Stadium, with remarkable performances in both standing and wheelchair categories.
This tournament, organized by YMCA, is a celebrated platform for para athletes across the region, reflecting the organization’s ongoing commitment to inclusive and accessible sports.
🏅 Winners:
Standing Category
Chetan Salgaonkar
Gopal Naik
Wheelchair Category
Lloyd Fernandes
Vishant Nagvekar
Each athlete displayed exceptional talent, resilience, and sportsmanship, capturing not only medals but also the hearts of spectators and fellow competitors.
The YMCA’s dedication to creating sporting opportunities for differently-abled athletes has played a crucial role in fostering inclusivity in Goa’s sporting ecosystem. These tournaments not only promote competition but also inspire younger para athletes to dream big and pursue sports professionally.
As Goa celebrates this proud moment, it also renews its commitment to support and uplift para athletes with better facilities, training, and visibility.
Congratulations to all the winners and participants – you make Goa proud!
