29th May 2025
Vedanta Sesa Goa Salutes Goan Sportspersons for Making India Proud
As the state celebrates the 39th Goa Statehood Day Vedanta Sesa Goa extended wishes to the people of Goa & reaffirmed its commitment to work towards the progress & prosperity of the State & also saluted the contributions of enterprising Goan youth who have made Goa proud through their accomplishments at the National & International level. In this regard, Sesa Goa has had a rich tradition of supporting Goan youth & transforming them into elite sportspersons. Through various initiatives, the Company has fuelled the flight of some of the biggest names in Goan football and sports.
Denzil Franco, Adil Khan, Pratesh Shirodhkar, Glan Martins, Micky Fernandes, Bruno Colaco, Jovel Martin, Godwin Franco, Augustin Fernandes, Rowilson Rodrigues, Gabriel Fernandes, household names in Goan football and are all alumni of the Sesa Football Academy who have not only had illustrious club careers but have also represented India at various levels. Vedanta Sesa Goa has also been supportive of other aspiring sportspersons such as champion Para athlete Sakshi Kale, and has extended financial & logistics support to the young Goan icon who has recently won the silver medal at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix (WPAGP) 2025 at Delhi & is now representing India at the WPAGP 2025 at Paris.
Denzil Franco, who joined the Academy as a bustling teen, made his debut for India in 2010 & went on to win the Nehru Gold Cup with the National Team. Adil Khan, represented India at various tournaments and was part of the squad that finished third at the King’s Cup 2019. Glan Martins made his India debut in 2021 & contributed to India’s winning campaign in the South Asian Football Federation Championship (SAFF) 2021 emulating Ausgustin Fernandes, who also won the SAFF 2015 Tournament representing India. Micky Fernandes broke through into the Indian National Team in 2006 & Godwin Franco went on to represent India at the Luspohony Games 2006, with Rowlson Rodrigues representing India at the Asian Games 2010.
Each one of the foregoing players has had an impactful domestic career as well & Sesa Football Academy shaped their youth level development, readying them for the professional level through well structured coaching programmes & a residential Academy set up.
Dr Caitanho Fernandes, President, Goa Football Association, said “ Goa has always been a proud footballing state, I would like to sincerely appreciate the tremendous contribution of Sesa Football Academy to the growth of the sport in our state.Through their partnership with the Goa Football Association, they have successfully organized the Vedanta Women’s League for eight consecutive seasons, creating a solid platform for over 1400 aspiring women footballers to showcase their talent.”
SFA also supports women football through the girls & women’s program and Vedanta Sesa Goa has been the sponsor of the primary women’s league in Goa- the Vedanta Women’s League. Through its 8 seasons, the League has cumulatively shaped the careers of over 1400 women footballers, with Karishma Shirvoikar & Michel Castanha having represented India at various international tournaments. Recently, the SFA Senior Women’s Team won the VWL and has become the only Goan team to feature in the IWL2, finishing a creditable 3rd amongst 15 elite teams.
Vedanta Sesa Goa has also been supportive of other aspiring sportspersons such as champion Para athlete Sakshi Kale, and has extended financial & logistics support to the young Goan icon who has recently won the silver medal at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix (WPAGP) 2025 at Delhi & is now representing India at the WPAGP 2025 at Paris.
Expressing her thoughts on the occasion, Ms Leena Verenkar, Head CSR, Sesa Goa said “On Goa Statehood Day, we take immense pride in the role Sesa Football Academy has played in shaping the landscape of Goan football for over 25 years. As a torchbearer of the sport in the state, SFA has provided a strong platform for youth development — with 11 of our players going on to represent the Indian national team, a true testament to our rigorous training, quality coaching, and world-class facilities. Our commitment to inclusive growth is reflected in our women’s football initiatives as well. With a dedicated women’s team performing exceptionally at state and national levels, and the Vedanta Women’s League successfully completing its 8th edition this year — touching the lives of over 1400 aspiring women footballers — we are proud to be contributing to a more equitable and dynamic sporting ecosystem. ”
SFA as an institution came into existence in 1998 and is a flagship CSR initiative of Vedanta Sesa Goa’ Sesa Community Development Fund, it has a residential Academy and supports young & budding footballers from the rural and mining belts of Goa. The Academy has a fully functional campus at Sirsaim. So far over 230 players have passed through its residential program. The other flagship CSR project as part of the SCDF is the Sesa Technical School, which has helped shape over 2000 futures with industry ready skill training.