Tag: Sesa Football Academy

Sports

Sesa Football Academy’s Aaroshi Govekar Poised for National Team Debut Against Nepal

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In a proud moment for Goa and Sesa Football Academy (SFA), talented defender Aaroshi Ramdas Govekar has been called up to the Indian Senior Women’s Football Team for the one-off friendly against Nepal, to be held on October 29, 2025, at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok, Sikkim.

This match, India’s first-ever international fixture in Sikkim, is part of the celebrations marking 50 years of Sikkim’s statehood. The event not only highlights the growing prominence of women’s football in India but also showcases the increasing representation of Goan players on the national stage.

Aaroshi, hailing from Nerul, Goa, has been a standout performer since joining Sesa Football Academy in 2018. Her consistent defensive displays in the Vedanta Women’s League earned her the ‘Best Defender’ award in the 2024–25 season, while she also helped the SFA Women’s Team lift the Championship title. She represented Goa at the Senior Nationals in 2024 and 2025, proving her mettle at the highest state level.

Her football journey began humbly—playing with village boys out of curiosity and determination—before progressing to represent clubs like Bengaluru FC, Calangute Association, and Puneri Warriors FC. Her growth reflects years of discipline, training, and an unwavering love for the game.

Speaking on her selection, Aaroshi said, “It’s a dream come true to wear the Indian jersey. This moment is not just a personal achievement but the result of years of dedication, passion, and hard work. I’m deeply grateful to Sesa Football Academy, my teammates, and my family for their support. I’ll give more than my best to make the country and Goa proud.”

She also expressed gratitude to the SFA coaching staff, crediting them for shaping her tactical awareness and physical development.

Mr. Gavin Araujo, Technical Director at Sesa Football Academy, shared, “We are extremely proud of Aaroshi’s selection to the National Camp, which embodies the values Sesa Football Academy stands for — perseverance, discipline, and excellence. With more Goan women now making it to the national level, the future of women’s football in the State looks promising.”

Aaroshi’s selection follows that of another SFA star, Pearl Fernandes, who recently represented India at the SAFF U-17 Women’s Championship in Bhutan, helping the team clinch the title and qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2026.

From local fields in Goa to the international stage, Aaroshi’s journey is a reflection of Goa’s growing impact on Indian women’s football — and a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the state.

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Sports

4th Vedanta Youth Cup Kicks Off in Goa with Top U-16 Talent from Across India

Tanisha Cardozo

The 4th edition of the Vedanta U-16 Youth Cup officially kicked off on 21st October 2025 in Goa, welcoming elite youth football teams from across India. Organised by the Sesa Football Academy (SFA), the tournament represents a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing young footballing talent at the grassroots level.

This year’s edition features eight high-performing teams: AIFF Talent Academy, Cortalim Villagers, Bengaluru FC, Dempo SC, Muthoot FA, Sesa FA, FC Goa, and Belgaum United Football Academy. These teams will compete across three venues — SFA’s Sirsaim Campus, Vagator Ground, and FC Goa Guirim Ground — as they battle it out for the prestigious title.

The tournament follows a pool format with two groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals, set for 27th October at SFA Sirsaim, with the grand finale scheduled for 29th October at Duler Ground. Defending champions Muthoot Football Academy are back in the fray and are expected to present a strong challenge.

The opening day saw thrilling action as AIFF Talent Academy dominated Dempo SC with a commanding 4-1 win. Bengaluru FC launched their campaign with an emphatic 9-0 victory over Cortalim Villagers. In another close match, Sesa FA edged past Belgaum United 2-1. The result of the Muthoot FA vs FC Goa clash was pending at the time of publication.

As Indian football continues to demand more robust player pipelines and structured developmental competitions, the Vedanta U-16 Youth Cup serves as a vital cog in this larger ecosystem. Supported by the Goa Football Association (GFA) and Goa Football Development Council (GFDC), the tournament aligns with key priorities such as grassroots scouting, community participation, and long-term fan engagement.

The cup also holds special significance for Sesa Football Academy, which has been investing in local talent since 1999. Leena Verenkar, Head of SCDF & CSR at Sesa Goa, emphasized that the tournament reflects the academy’s commitment to developing players from Goa’s rural and mining belts. “SFA has since 1999 been focussing on nurturing homegrown talent from the rural and mining belts of Goa. It has been a vessel for developing and nurturing the rich legacy of Goan and National football.”

Technical Director of SFA, Gavin Araujo, highlighted the tournament’s value as a high-stakes developmental opportunity for young players. “It’s a superb platform that provides the right impetus to the young footballers and gives them the much-needed edge in terms of honing skills and sharpening key attributes including mental robustness.”

The tournament also marks another successful step for SFA as a dependable organiser of national-level competitions. After hosting I-League 3 and IWL 2 matches, the academy continues to grow as a hub of football excellence, helping pave the way for India’s next generation of players. The Vedanta U-16 Youth Cup is not just a competition — it’s a launchpad for dreams.

Sports

Sesa Football Academy Shines at GFA Awards with Multiple Top Honours

Tanisha Cardozo

Sesa Football Academy (SFA) emerged as one of the biggest winners at the Goa Football Association (GFA) Awards Night 2025, receiving widespread recognition for its remarkable contributions to Goan and Indian football during the 2024–25 season. The prestigious event, attended by notable dignitaries including the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Guest of Honour Shri Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, and Dr. Caitano Fernandes, President of the GFA, celebrated the achievements of clubs and individuals who have advanced the sport in the region.

SFA was awarded for excellence across multiple categories. The Academy’s qualification for the I-League 3 and Indian Women’s League 2 was hailed as a significant achievement, underscoring their growing stature in Indian football. The Hon’ble CM, Dr. Pramod Sawant, extended his congratulations to the Academy, praising Vedanta’s commitment to nurturing grassroots talent and enabling young athletes to reach the national stage.

The SFA Women’s Team was felicitated for their outstanding performance in winning the 2024–25 Vedanta Women’s League, Goa’s premier women’s football competition, and for securing a berth in the Indian Women’s League 2. In youth football, the SFA U-19 boys’ team was recognised for their runner-up finish in the GFA U-19 Division I League, highlighting the Academy’s ongoing focus on developing young talent.

Beyond team performances, SFA also earned the ‘Special Achievement Award for Overall Excellence in Football Management’, reflecting the Academy’s structured approach and professionalism. They were also conferred with the ‘Organiser Award’ for exemplary venue management throughout the season.

Individual brilliance was a standout theme of the evening. Pearl Fernandes of the SFA Women’s Team was honoured with the coveted ‘Women’s Player of the Year’ award. Coach Severino Fernandes shared the ‘Coach of the Year’ accolade with SFA’s Technical Director, Mr. Gavin Araujo, recognizing their leadership and technical guidance. Additionally, five SFA players were acknowledged for their vital contributions to the Goa State Team’s runner-up finish at the Khelo India Beach Soccer (Men’s) tournament.

Vedanta Sesa Goa’s CEO, Mr. Navin Jaju, expressed pride in the Academy’s achievements, stating that the accolades spotlight SFA’s commitment to raising the bar for Indian football. He commended the efforts of the players and staff and reaffirmed Vedanta’s dedication to developing infrastructure and talent across all levels.

Dr. Caitano Fernandes, President of the Goa Football Association, also lauded SFA for being a pillar of Goan football for over two decades, emphasising their structured approach and contributions to the state’s football ecosystem.

Over the years, SFA has impacted over 8000 young footballers through sustained grassroots initiatives. Notably, 12 alumni have gone on to represent India at the international level in both men’s and women’s categories. In revitalising women’s football in the state, the Academy has provided a platform to over 1400 female footballers through the Vedanta Women’s League since its inception in 2017.

With an unwavering commitment to excellence, infrastructure development, and professional training, Sesa Football Academy continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian football, setting new benchmarks for others to follow.

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Sesa Goa Powers Over 8000 Sporting Dreams Through Grassroots Support on National Sports Day

Tanisha Cardozo

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.

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Vedanta Sesa Goa Employee Volunteers Drive Change Through Community Empowerment ActivitiesBy Allycaral News Desk | Community

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Bicholim, Goa: In a powerful display of corporate social responsibility in action, Vedanta Sesa Goa – Iron Ore Goa (IOG) recently organized a series of employee-led volunteer initiatives across the villages of Piligao, Maem, and Bicholim. These were part of the ongoing Sesa Employee Volunteerism Activity, which aims to foster long-term, impactful engagement with the communities surrounding Vedanta’s operational areas.

With leadership presence from Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO – IOG, the initiatives covered a wide range of community-focused activities:

  • Health & Hygiene Awareness: Targeted towards adolescent girls, these sessions aimed to improve awareness and promote positive practices.
  • Career Guidance: Conducted at Zantye Narayan College of Commerce, the session helped bridge the gap between academics and the corporate world.
  • Financial & Digital Literacy: Women from the community received valuable training to navigate modern banking and digital tools.
  • Tech Talks for Students: Designed to ignite curiosity in school-going children.
  • Football Match: A friendly game to promote physical activity and strengthen bonds with locals.

One of the event’s most heartfelt highlights was the ‘Rakhi’ stall, organized in partnership with Keshava Seva Sadhana, showcasing products handcrafted by special children. The proceeds directly supported their cause, promoting inclusive development and awareness.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jagdish remarked,

“Employee Volunteerism is an extension of our core philosophy of giving back and staying rooted in the needs of our people.”

Echoing this spirit, Prof. Dr. Rajendra Kumbharjuvenkar, Principal of Zantye Narayan College, stated:

“It was a pleasure hosting Vedanta’s career guidance session. It bridged real-world expectations and helped students think ahead.”

Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to drive change through its multi-pronged CSR efforts, including Sesa Football Academy and Sesa Technical School, which have empowered over 2,000+ youth since 1994.

With meaningful volunteerism, the company demonstrates how industry can go beyond business — and truly become part of the community.

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