Tag: Vedanta Sesa Goa

Sports

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

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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.

Social

Vedanta Sesa Goa Promotes Community Well-being at Mayem Marathon 2026

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Written by Intern Swara Bodke || Team Allycaral

Vedanta Sesa Goa, a leading iron ore producer with a legacy of more than seven decades in Goa, partnered with the Shri Mahamaya High-School Ex-Students Association for the Mayem Marathon 2026, held in Bicholim. The marathon has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated community sporting events and witnessed an overwhelming response this year, with over 1,500 participants from across the state.

The event featured multiple race categories, including 21 km, 10 km, 5 km and 3 km runs, along with dedicated races for school students across various age groups. The wide range of categories highlighted the inclusive nature of the marathon and encouraged participation from both seasoned runners and first-time participants.

Several dignitaries were present on the occasion, including Shri Premendra Shet, Hon’ble MLA for Mayem Constituency, and Guest of Honour Shri Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager, Goa Tourism Development Corporation. Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish, Deputy CEO, Vedanta Iron Ore Goa, along with prominent community leaders, also attended the event. Vedanta Sesa Goa has been associated with all three editions of the Mayem Marathon under its ‘YouTheChange, YouThePower’ initiative.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Premendra Shet said the Mayem Marathon 2026 reflected the strong spirit of fitness, inclusivity and togetherness within the community. He appreciated Vedanta Sesa Goa for partnering with the marathon for the third consecutive year and acknowledged the company’s wider CSR contributions in the region, including the restoration of the historic Maem Bandhara and the establishment of computer centres and modern laboratories aimed at empowering youth.

Mr. Dhirajkumar Jagdish said Vedanta remains committed to fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for the communities it serves. He added that the Mayem Marathon stands as a powerful example of collective action, bringing people from diverse backgrounds together on a common platform, and expressed gratitude to the organisers, dignitaries and the Bicholim community for making the event a success.

Vedanta Sesa Goa continues to promote community well-being through partnerships in initiatives such as the Republic Run and the Mayem Marathon. Through its flagship CSR programme, the Sesa Football Academy, the company also conducts football camps and tournaments including the Vedanta Women’s League, Vedanta Youth Cup and Vedanta Football Championship. These initiatives reflect Vedanta Sesa Goa’s ongoing efforts to foster a culture of health, fitness and holistic development across Goa.

EduConnect

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

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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

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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.

EduConnect

Through Education and Inclusion, Vedanta Sesa Goa Reaffirms Commitment to Nation Building

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, January 2026: On the twin occasions of National Girl Child Day and the International Day of Education, Vedanta Sesa Goa reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive growth through education, skills and empowerment initiatives aimed at building resilient communities and enabling nation building.



The company’s flagship CSR programme, Project Vriddhi, continues to be a cornerstone of its social impact initiatives, with a strong focus on promoting education in remote and underserved regions, particularly for the girl child. Through the Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship, over 1,300 meritorious students have been supported since 2018 to pursue education from Class 10 through professional courses, with girls accounting for nearly 50 per cent of beneficiaries.

Several beneficiaries have witnessed life-changing outcomes through the programme. Leela Parab from Mulgao, Goa, was able to continue her B.Pharma degree despite personal loss, while Riya Dattaram Naik from Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, pursued her passion for fashion design. Lanchana M, a resident of remote Chitradurga, successfully followed her dream of studying computer engineering with the support of the Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarship.

Speaking on the occasion, Navin Jaju, CEO of Vedanta Sesa Goa, said the company remains committed to empowering the future through inclusive education and opportunity. He said initiatives such as Project Vriddhi, Vedanta Utkarsh Scholarships, the Sesa Technical School and the Sesa Football Academy reflect the organisation’s belief in investing meaningfully in communities to build a prosperous and inclusive future.

Vedanta Sesa Goa’s education-to-employment initiatives have also played a significant role in shaping livelihoods. The Sesa Technical School (STS), established in Sanquelim, Goa, in 1994, has trained over 2,000 youth in various technical trades, maintaining a near-100 per cent placement record. Girls are increasingly encouraged to enrol in technical courses at the institute, supported through scholarships. Alumni such as Chetan Salelkar, who went on to establish his own enterprise after graduating from the fitter trade, stand testimony to the programme’s long-term impact.

Digital inclusion forms another key pillar of Vedanta’s social interventions. Under the aegis of the Vedanta Foundation, seven computer centres and 19 school-based digital labs across Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka have empowered thousands by bridging the digital divide, including learners with visual impairments. Nearly 65 per cent of beneficiaries of these initiatives are girls and women.

Infrastructure support has further strengthened access to education. The Back-to-School initiative in Karnataka supports over 3,000 children annually by providing essential school kits, while more than 120 Anganwadis have been upgraded under the Nand Ghar initiative with smart kits, solar power and digital tools. Dedicated transport facilities in Karnataka and Odisha ensure safe access to education for children from remote locations.

Extending its commitment beyond academics, Vedanta Sesa Goa has also invested in sports development through the Sesa Football Academy. The academy has empowered girls from rural areas with structured training and competitive exposure, with its senior women’s team qualifying for the Indian Women’s League 2026. Players such as Aaroshi Govekar and Pearl Fernandes, who have earned national call-ups, exemplify how opportunity and mentorship can transform potential into achievement.

Together, these initiatives underline Vedanta Sesa Goa’s long-term vision of empowering girls and youth not merely as beneficiaries, but as agents of change. By strengthening access to education, skills, infrastructure and opportunity, the company continues to support the creation of confident individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to an inclusive and sustainable future.