Tag: PJN Stadium

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.

Sports

Goa Government to Honour ‘The Monte Cruz Stand’ in PJN Stadium, Fatorda

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The Government of Goa has officially announced a fitting tribute to late former Sports Minister Francisco Monte Cruz, by naming a stand at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, after him. This recognition comes on the occasion of his first death anniversary, honouring the man who was responsible for the construction of the iconic stadium in a record 180 days between 1988 and 1989.

The PJN Stadium, inaugurated on January 19, 1989, continues to be a vibrant hub for major football matches and sports events in the state. Its existence owes much to Monte Cruz’s foresight, dedication, and leadership, which made it one of Goa’s proudest sports infrastructure projects.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant and the Government of Goa have initiated the implementation of a long-standing resolution moved by Minister Digambar Kamat in the State Assembly, which called for the naming of a stand in the stadium after Monte Cruz. The resolution has finally come to life this year, ensuring that Monte Cruz’s contributions will be forever remembered by generations to come.

The announcement ceremony saw the presence of Monte Cruz’s family members, including his son Vijay Monte Cruz and daughter Hema Monte Cruz, who were present to witness the emotional and symbolic gesture. Both expressed their pride in seeing their father’s efforts officially recognised by the state.

The stand naming project is expected to resume within the next two weeks, following coordination and assistance from the Chief Minister’s office. This event not only commemorates the memory of Francisco Monte Cruz but also underscores the importance of honouring visionary leaders who have shaped the state’s legacy through infrastructure and public service.

As Goa continues to grow as a centre for national and international football, the Monte Cruz Stand will stand tall — a reminder of a man who built a stadium, and with it, a part of Goa’s sporting identity.