Celebrating Goan Sporting Icons on 39th Goa Statehood Day
As the state celebrates the 39th Goa Statehood Day, it I an occasion to celebrate its rich sporting legacy – a legacy which has been carried forward by Sesa Goa through its flagship CSR initiative Sesa Football Academy (SFA) & support extended to budding & aspiring youth from Goa. These endeavours have not only helped support Goan youth, but ensured their transformation into elite sportspersons.
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 mostly also represented India at various levels – quite literally manifesting its aim of #LetsFootballForIndia. Vedanta Sesa Goa has also extended support to sportspersons from fields other than football, such as champion Para athlete Sakshi Kale, in the form of financial & logistical assistance. 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 Augustin 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 Lusophony 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 footballing personas & helmed their youth level development, readying them for the professional grind through well-structured coaching programmes & a one-of-its-kind residential Academy set up.
Sharing his thoughts on the occasion & reflecting on SFA’s contribution in shaping Goan & Indian football, Mr Navin Jaju, CEO, Sesa Goa said “Goa has a rich tradition of sports and numerous players have emerged to represent India at the International level. We, at Vedanta Sesa Goa, are proud of the legacy of Goan sports and through the SFA and support extended to aspiring sportpersons, have made an effort to deepen the same. I am extremely proud of the way SFA has fuelled the dreams of boys and girls aspiring to make it big in football. Through our support to champion para-athlete Sakshi Kale, Vedanta Sesa Goa reaffirms its commitment to #TransformingSports and to empowering women meaningfully.”
Dr Caitano Fernandes, President, Goa Football Association, acknowledging SFA’ role 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 premier GFA women’s league in Goa- the Vedanta Women’s League (VWL). Through its 8 seasons, the VWL has cumulatively shaped the careers of over 1400 women footballers, with the likes of Karishma Shirvoikar, Michel Castanha, Pearl Fernandes (currently playing for SFA Women’s Team) having donned India colors.
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. SFA has provided a strong platform for youth development, quality coaching & support facilities. Now the SFA has a full-fledged women’s team which has emerged as a top contender at the State and National levels.We are proud of what the SFA has achieved in terms of #TransformingSports & #TransformingCommunities.”
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.
