Tag: Vedanta Youth Cup

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.

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.