PANAJI: Chinchinim Veterans edged past Salgaocar Veterans 1-0 in final to win the Vedanta-AWES legends football tournament. In the final, Alaric Gomes of Chinchinim Veterans scored the all-important goal.
The Vedanta-AWES Legends tournament was organised by Vedanta in collaboration with Association for Wellbeing of Elder Sportspersons (AWES) at Sinquetim ground, Navelim- Salcete.
The tournament witnessed participation of over 80+ legendary football players including Padma Shri Brahmanand Shankhwalkar, Bruno Coutinho, Pascoal Pereira, Bosco Monteiro, Jerry Fernandes, Avertano Furtado and many others, states a press release.
Ulhas Tuenkar, MLA, Navelim; Sujal Shah, CEO-Iron Ore Business, Vedanta Limited, Leena Verenkar, Group CSR Head, Vedanta Limited, Derrick Pereira, President- AWES along with executive committee of AWES & executives from Vedanta, graced the prize distribution ceremony. Padma Shri Brahmanand was felicitated for his massive contribution to Indian football.
Eight teams namely Salcete Veterans, Custom Veterans, Fatorda Veterans, Chinchinim Veterans, Salgaocar Veterans, Sesa Veterans, Bardez Veterans, Dempo Veterans.
Annanya Agarwal, President- Vedanta Sports, said: “We are pleased to organise this unique event in collaboration with AWES, which has provided all of us the opportunity to witness our legendary veteran footballers back in action. I congratulate all the players and organising team for conducting such a successful event, which facilitated engagement with the icons of Indian football.”
Expressing his views at the closing ceremony, Derrick Pereira- President, AWES said “We are very delighted to have collaborated with Vedanta for organising this event for veteran football players. Watching these legendary players in action after so long brought back old memories and gave us all a feeling of nostalgia. I would further like to congratulate the winning team for an impeccable show of football skill. We once again thank Vedanta for collaborating with us for this unique event.”
While speaking at the closing ceremony, Sujal Shah, CEO- Iron Ore Business, Vedanta Limited said: “I am personally in awe of the way our football legends played today. The competitive spirit along with the sportsmanship that they displayed has left us all flabbergasted. I congratulate all the veteran players who showed up to turn back the clock with their spectacular performances. We at Vedanta, are extremely happy to have organised this, one of its kind events that has provided us with the opportunity to engage with these legendary footballers and learn from their vast experience. Our goal is to further continue the development of Indian sports, and I believe experience & guidance of these legends will be instrumental to take Indian football to even greater heights. I thank AWES for collaborating with us for this unique event and my special gratitude to all the legendary footballers for their overwhelming participation.”
