Tag: Women In Sports

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Vedanta Sesa Goa Empowers Para-Athlete Sakshi Kale Ahead of World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 in Paris

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Panaji, Goa | May 26, 2025
In a heartwarming and empowering event held at Sesa Ghor, Vedanta Sesa Goa extended its strong support to Goa’s rising para-athletics star Ms. Sakshi Kale, congratulating her on her selection to represent India at the prestigious World Para Athletics Grand Prix (WPAGP) 2025 in Paris. The interaction was led by Mr. Navin Jaju, CEO of Vedanta Sesa Goa, who lauded Sakshi’s achievements and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to nurturing sporting talent under its #IronLadies25 initiative.

Sakshi, a Khelo India Gold Medalist and international silver medalist, has become a beacon of hope and inspiration, especially for the differently-abled community in Goa. Her remarkable performances — Gold at the 2nd Khelo India Para National and Silver at the WPAGP 2025 – Delhi in the 100m sprint — paved the way for her inclusion in the Indian contingent heading to Paris. She is the only Goan selected among 23 athletes representing the country, and will compete in the 400m and 1500m events.

During the interaction, Mr. Navin Jaju praised Sakshi’s determination and expressed pride in her achievements:

“I wish Ms. Sakshi Kale the very best for the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025. She is a role model and an #IronLady who inspires us with her spirit and enthusiasm. At Vedanta Sesa Goa, we are extremely proud of her selection. Supporting her through our #IronLadies25 initiative aligns with our mission to bridge the gap between opportunity and aspiration,” he said.

The event also saw the presence of Mr. Sudesh Thakur, Secretary of the Goa Paralympic Association, who acknowledged Sakshi’s potential and Vedanta’s continued support for sports:

“We are confident in Sakshi’s ability to perform at the highest level. Her dedication is commendable, and we thank Vedanta Sesa Goa for backing her. Their efforts in sports development through the Sesa Football Academy and other initiatives are exemplary.”

A resident of Usgao, Goa, and student of GCASC, Khandola, Ms. Sakshi Kale has overcome visual impairment to become a powerhouse in para-athletics. She has made consistent appearances in both junior and senior national championships and is known for her performance in middle-distance runs.

Expressing her gratitude, Sakshi said:

“Representing India at the international level is a dream come true. I thank the Government of India, the Goa Paralympic Association, and especially Vedanta Sesa Goa for their unwavering support. Their encouragement has strengthened my resolve to train harder and bring glory to the nation.”

Vedanta Sesa Goa has long championed the cause of sports development and inclusion. The Sesa Football Academy (SFA) and Vedanta Women’s League (VWL) have nurtured young talent across Goa, while the Vedanta Ultimate Badminton League has further expanded the state’s sporting horizon. The company actively supports marathons, cricket tournaments, and community events, promoting physical fitness and youth engagement.

The recent victory of the SFA Senior Women’s Team in the 8th edition of the VWL is a testament to Vedanta’s vision of creating a holistic and inclusive sports ecosystem.

#AllycaralFeature 👒, Sports, Spotlight

Erica De Sequeira: A Martial Arts Trailblazer

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Erica De Sequeira, a renowned martial artist, has been making waves in the sports world with her impressive skills and determination. Recently, she was honored with the prestigious Orchid Award, a testament to her hard work and dedication.


Receiving the Orchid Award was a surreal experience for Erica. “I’m deeply humbled to receive this award,” she said. “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized for my passion and hard work.”


Erica’s journey in martial arts began at a young age. Growing up, she was fascinated by the world of sports and was encouraged by her parents to explore various disciplines. She found her passion in martial arts, particularly in TIMD, BJJ, and MMA.


Erica’s journey has not been without its challenges. She has faced self-doubt, fear of failure, injuries, and setbacks. However, she has learned to overcome these obstacles through resilience, hard work, and determination.


Erica cites her coach, Mary Kom, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Conor McGregor as her role models and sources of inspiration. “These individuals have taught me valuable lessons about hard work, dedication, and perseverance,” she said.


Erica’s future plans include competing at the international level, establishing a martial arts academy, and collaborating with other athletes and organizations to promote the values of discipline, hard work, and resilience.


Erica is committed to giving back to her community and contributing to the growth of sports in India. She plans to establish a martial arts academy, conduct free training sessions, mentor young athletes, and support local sports initiatives.

Erica prioritizes time management, sets boundaries, and makes time for self-care to maintain a healthy balance between her sports career and personal life.


Erica emphasizes the importance of mental health and practices mindfulness, self-compassion, and self-care to maintain good mental health.


Erica hopes to leave a lasting legacy in the sports world that inspires future generations of athletes and fans. She aspires to be remembered as a trailblazer, role model, and champion.


Erica De Sequeira’s story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and hard work. Her commitment to martial arts and her community is inspiring, and her legacy will undoubtedly continue to motivate and inspire others for years to come.

#AllycaralFeature 👒, Fit & Fabulous, Sports

Goa’s Bhuvaneshwari Jadav Creates History at 38th National Games

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In an outstanding display of skill and determination, Bhuvaneshwari Jadav from Goa has made history by clinching the state’s first-ever gold medal in the Kalaripayattu event. This remarkable achievement came in the Kaiporu category (Above 60 kg Girls Section) at the 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand.


Bhuvaneshwari’s victory is a proud moment not only for her family but also for the entire state of Goa. Her achievement is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and passion for the sport.


Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art that originated in Kerala, India. It is a highly disciplined and rigorous sport that requires a great deal of physical and mental strength. Bhuvaneshwari’s gold medal win is a significant achievement, considering the level of competition and the demands of the sport.Bhuvaneshwari’s achievement is a shining example for young athletes in Goa and across the country. Her success demonstrates that with perseverance, dedication, and the right support, anything is possible.

Congratulations to Bhuvaneshwari and Her Family
We extend our warmest congratulations to Bhuvaneshwari Jadav, her family, and her coaches on this outstanding achievement. We wish her continued success and hope that her achievement inspires many more young athletes to pursue their dreams.

Bhuvaneshwari Jadav is the daughter of Sangeetha Jadav and hails from Goa. She has been training in Kalaripayattu for several years and has shown remarkable talent and dedication to the sport. Her gold medal win at the 38th National Games is a culmination of her hard work and perseverance.

#AllycaralFeature 👒, Sports

Goa University Women’s Football Team Secures Spot in Khelo India University Games 2025

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In a remarkable display of skill and determination, the Goa University Women’s Football Team has qualified for the prestigious Khelo India University Games 2025. The team’s impressive performance at the All India Inter-University Football Women’s Championship 2024-25, held at GNA University, Phagwara, Punjab, from January 11-16, 2025, secured their spot among the top eight teams.

The team’s campaign began with a closely contested match against Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani, Haryana, where they narrowly lost 1-2. Pushpa Parab scored the lone goal for Goa University in this game. However, the team bounced back strongly, defeating Vels University, Chennai 1-0 in the second league match, with a brilliant goal by Karen Estrocio.

Goa University continued their winning momentum, securing an emphatic 5-1 victory against the University of Burdwan, Purba Bardhaman, West Bengal in the third league match, and qualified for the knockout stage. Goals were scored by Karen Estrocio (1), Pushpa Parab (2), Sushmita Jadhav (1), and Flani Costa (1).

In the quarterfinals, Goa University put up a valiant effort but narrowly lost 2-1 to Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. Despite the defeat, the team’s overall performance ensured a top-eight finish in the championship.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for the team, as they now look forward to representing Goa University at the Khelo India University Games 2025. The team’s success is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and teamwork.

The Goa University Football Women team comprised the following players at the All India Inter-University Football Women’s Championship 2024-25:

  1. Vanisha Vaz
  2. Rizella Almeida
  3. Janet Mesquita
  4. Blessica Rodrigues
  5. Anoshka D’ Souza
  6. Rhea Pires
  7. Sushmita Jadhav
  8. Flani Costa
  9. Aaroshi Govekar
  10. Karen Estrocio
  11. Pearl Almeida
  12. Lysandra Rodrigues
  13. Jovinia D’ Silva
  14. Aniela Barretto
  15. Vinoshka Fernandes
  16. Pushpa Parab
  17. Saniya Pednekar
  18. Simran Narvekar
  19. Tanvi Parulekar
  20. Tanvi D. Khedekar

The team was led by Coach Ryan Pereira, Assistant Coach Worrel D’Souza, and Team Manager Jeromina Colaco.

Goa University congratulates the team on their outstanding achievement and wishes them the best of luck for the Khelo India University Games 2025.