Tag: Sesa Football Academy

Sports

SFA & GFDC Partner to Boost U-12 Girls’ Football in Goa

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Mayem, Goa: Sesa Football Academy (SFA), in partnership with the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC), inaugurated the Sesa–GFDC Under-12 Girls’ Football Tournament at Mayem Ground, marking a significant step in strengthening grassroots football for young girls in the state.


The tournament, which commenced on January 29, 2026, has brought together over 300 young girls representing teams from across North and South Goa. It stands as one of the largest structured grassroots initiatives dedicated exclusively to girls’ football in Goa.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Premendra Shet, MLA for Maem Constituency, as Chief Guest, along with Glenn Ticlo, Chairman, GFDC; Fransquinha Oliveira, Member Secretary, GFDC; Kunda Vishnu Mandrekar, ZP Member;  Vishant Pednekar, Sarpanch, V.P Maem; Seema Sanjay Arondekar, Panch Member, V.P Maem;  Nitin Gaddi, Council Member, GFDC; and executives from Vedanta Sesa Goa.

Addressing the gathering, Premendra Shet emphasised the importance of balancing academics and sports in a child’s holistic development. He commended SFA and GFDC for creating a structured platform that enables young girls to pursue sporting excellence alongside their education.

The participating teams have been divided into four zones.

Zone 1 (North): Arambol, Pernem, Mandrem, Tuem, Aldona, Poira

Zone 2 (North): Mayem, Sanquelim, Zarme, Valpoi, Savoiverem, Dona Paula

Zone 3 (South): Dabal, Cortalim, Sao Jose De Areal, Navelim, Seraulim

Zone 4 (South): Quepem, Uguem, Ambelim, Devabhag

Glenn Ticlo, Chairman, GFDC, reiterated the council’s commitment to strengthening grassroots football and highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts to raise the standard of the sport in the state. He acknowledged the support of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, and Ramesh Tawadkar, Minister for Sports, in promoting football development.

Speaking on behalf of Vedanta Sesa Goa, Leena Verenkar, Head – CSR & SCDF, stated that sports serve as a powerful enabler of social progress and individual transformation. She noted that the tournament not only provides competitive exposure but also promotes fitness and strengthens women’s football in Goa.

Member Secretary Fransquinha Oliveira described grassroots football as the backbone of Goan football and thanked Vedanta Sesa Goa and stakeholders for their continued support.

Hosting the event was a matter of pride for the Maem panchayat, said Sarpanch Vishant Pednekar, who appreciated the organisers for promoting structured sporting engagement for young girls.

Sesa Football Academy, with over 26 years of contribution to Goan football, has produced more than 230 footballers through its residential programme, including 14 players who have represented India internationally. Through its various initiatives, over 8,000 aspiring footballers have been provided platforms to showcase their talent.

The Sesa–GFDC U-12 Girls’ Tournament reflects a growing commitment to empowering young girls in sports and strengthening the future of women’s football in Goa.

EduConnect

Vedanta Sesa Goa Champions Girl Child Empowerment and Education Through Student Engagement Initiatives

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Vedanta Sesa Goa, one of India’s most established mining companies with a seven-decade legacy in Goa, observed National Girl Child Day and the International Day of Education by conducting meaningful student-centric programmes at Shri Mahamaya High School, Maem. The initiative reflected the company’s continued focus on empowering girls and promoting holistic educational development among young learners.


As part of the engagement, students interacted with Ms. Simran Narvekar, a player from the Sesa Football Academy, who shared her personal journey in sports. Her story of perseverance and self-belief served as a source of motivation, especially for girl students, encouraging them to pursue their aspirations with confidence, resilience, and determination.

The session was followed by an interactive quiz competition, providing students with an opportunity to showcase their knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and enthusiasm for learning in a lively and engaging environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Navin Jaju, CEO of Vedanta Sesa Goa, said that the company remains committed to empowering the nation’s future through inclusive education, skills development, and equal opportunities. He highlighted initiatives such as Project Vriddhi, Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarships, the Sesa Technical School, and the Sesa Football Academy as key platforms enabling youth—especially young girls—to realise their potential and aspirations, while contributing to the vision of a developed India.

Suman Gaonkar, Principal of Shri Mahamaya High School, expressed her appreciation for the initiative, noting that the interaction with Ms. Narvekar was highly motivating for students, while the quiz encouraged active participation and critical thinking. She added that such engagements play a significant role in building confidence and supporting the overall growth of children.

In a parallel educational initiative, students and teachers from Holy Cross High School, Siolim–Bardez, visited the Sesa Technical School and the Sanquelim Reclaimed Mines. The exposure visit offered valuable insights into vocational and technical education pathways, along with sustainable mining and land reclamation practices, enriching the participants’ academic understanding.

Through continued engagement with schools and educational institutions, Vedanta Sesa Goa remains focused on fostering learning, inclusion, and youth empowerment. These initiatives underline the company’s commitment to creating enabling environments that encourage education, confidence, and positive social impact across communities.

Social

Bicholim Free Legal Aid Cell Organises Successful Jan Seva Camp at Sal Village Panchayat

rencygomes02

Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

The Bicholim Free Legal Aid Cell successfully organised a one-day “Jan Seva Camp” at the Village Panchayat Hall, Sal, Goa, providing a range of essential public services to local residents. The initiative witnessed active participation from the community, with over 80 residents availing benefits during the camp.


The camp offered assistance for several key services, including Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) registration, Aadhaar card correction, and ABHA card issuance. In addition, citizens received support for online residence certificates, divergence certificates, DDSSY card renewal, PAN card services, and drafting of affidavits, among others.

The programme was conducted under the guidance of Faculty In-charge, Assistant Professor Rhucha Garde, and coordinated efficiently by students-in-charge Miss Diya Deulkar and Miss Maithili Gawas. The camp also received support from Sarpanch Mrs. Neeta Raut, whose presence added to the smooth conduct of the event.

The Jan Seva Camp served as an effective platform to bring government schemes and legal assistance closer to the people, reaffirming the Free Legal Aid Cell’s commitment to community service and access to justice at the grassroots level.

Sports

SFA’s Maiden IWL Qualification Marks a New Dawn for Goan Women’s Football: Armando Colaco

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral Sports Desk

The Sesa Football Academy Senior Women’s Team has created a landmark moment in Goan football by securing its first-ever qualification for the 9th Indian Women’s League. Their entry marks the return of a Goan team to the national stage after three years, and positions SFA among the only five Goan clubs to have ever competed in the prestigious league. Having already established themselves as the reigning Vedanta Women’s League champions, their commendable third-place finish in the IWL 2 set the foundation for qualification. With the Indian Arrows withdrawing, and through the persistent efforts of Dr. Caitano Fernandes, President of the Goa Football Association, SFA earned their place in the 16-team competition.

The achievement arrives at a promising time for women’s football in India, where the U17, U21, and senior national women’s teams have all qualified for the AFC Champions Cup. For Goa, SFA’s entry into the IWL opens a vital pathway for local players to gain exposure, visibility, and opportunity at the national level. Navin Jaju, CEO of Vedanta Sesa Goa, expressed pride in the team’s rapid progress, acknowledging that their journey serves as inspiration for many young athletes.

Dronacharya Awardee and former India and SFA coach Armando Colaco described the qualification as more than a sporting accomplishment. For him, it signals the revival of women’s football in Goa. He recalled a time when the women’s game had strong grassroots presence in the state, which gradually faded over the years. The recent successes of SFA, he believes, have reignited that lost momentum. Colaco praised the technical ability, discipline, and temperament of the young players, viewing this milestone as the beginning of a new phase for Goan football rather than a conclusion of past efforts.

Colaco also highlighted SFA’s important role in rebuilding a sustainable ecosystem for women’s football. He emphasized that women’s football must not be regarded as a benevolent side venture but as a high-performance sporting avenue deserving of strategic investment. In this journey, the continued support of Vedanta Sesa Goa has been instrumental in stabilizing and growing the women’s football structure in the state, particularly through their contributions to the Women’s League in Goa.

Looking ahead, Colaco believes that if SFA sustains its current momentum, it has the potential to become a national reference point for women’s football development. As the SFA Senior Women’s Team prepares to enter the IWL, expectations rise not just for their performance but for the broader impact they may have on Goan football. The moment, he says, belongs to the players, the academy, and to every young girl dreaming of pursuing football professionally. For him, this is not only a moment of qualification but a moment of revival—one that calls on the entire football community to support the SFA team in ushering in a true Goan sunrise.

Sports

Bengaluru FC Crowned Champions at the 4th Vedanta Youth Cup 2025-26

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa, October 30th 2025 — The 4th Vedanta Youth Cup, hosted by Sesa Football Academy, came to a thrilling conclusion with Bengaluru FC edging out AIFF FIFA Talent Academy by a solitary goal to be crowned Champions. The grand finale offered an exhilarating display of young football talent, with both teams exhibiting remarkable skill, determination, and tactical discipline despite challenging wet conditions caused by heavy rains.

The encounter turned out to be a mid-field battle characterized by possession play and swift counterattacks. Both teams demonstrated resilience and technical prowess throughout the match, but the deadlock was finally broken in the 89th minute. Bengaluru FC’s Hrishikesh Charan Nanarathi converted a set-piece corner with a stunning half-volley, delivering the decisive goal that crowned his side champions.

The victorious Bengaluru FC team received the winner’s trophy along with a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, presented by Dronacharya Awardee and veteran coach Mr. Armando Colaco. The runner-up, AIFF FIFA Talent Academy, was awarded ₹70,000, presented by Mr. Laxman Hadfadkar, Executive Member of the Goa Football Association.

The final witnessed the presence of distinguished guests from the football fraternity including Mr. Mohd Faizal Md. So’od, AFC Beach Soccer Instructor and India Beach Soccer Head Coach, Mrs. Daliwza Deena Binti Salihin, Executive Member of the Women’s Football Association in Malaysia, and Mr. Vivek Nagul, Head of Coach Development at the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Individual brilliance was also recognized, with Hrishikesh Charan Manarathi from Bengaluru FC named both ‘Player of the Tournament’ and ‘Player of the Match’. Leivon Thangalur Kom from Muthoot FA earned the ‘Most Promising Player’ award, while Dhannya Harshit Desai of Bengaluru FC was adjudged ‘Best Goalkeeper’. Prathyush Dev from Muthoot FA received the ‘Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament’ title, and Jinesh Thoudam from the AIFF FIFA Talent Academy was named ‘Best Defender’. The ‘Fair Play’ award went to Cortalim Villagers.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Armando Colaco commended the initiative, stating that the Vedanta Youth Cup serves as a vital platform for identifying and nurturing young football talent in India. He emphasized that the competition’s professionalism and quality reflect the growing depth of football in the country and play a key role in shaping future stars.

Mr. Vivek Nagul of AIFF echoed this sentiment, highlighting the importance of structured tournaments in developing grassroots and youth football. He praised Vedanta Sesa Goa and Sesa Football Academy for their continued efforts to foster football development and provide competitive opportunities for young players.

The Vedanta Youth Cup continues to be an elite-level platform that showcases the depth of India’s footballing potential, while underscoring Sesa Football Academy’s growing reputation for organizing top-tier tournaments and creating opportunities for emerging football talent across the nation.