Sports Minister Govind Gaude, Padma Shri Brahmanand Shankhwalkar and Sesa officials felicitated 16 players of 2018-2023 batch from Sesa Football Academy (SFA) during convocation ceremony held at academy campus in Sirsaim.
Navin Jaju, CEO of Sesa Goa- Vedanta Limited, P. K. Mukherjee, Non-Executive Independent Director, SCDF, Saptesh Sardesai, CEO- VAB, Vedanta Limited, Academy coaches, support staff and others were also present during the event. All these 16 students completed residential training programme at SFA and are set to begin their professional careers in football.
Speaking during the convocation ceremony Gaude said: “I appreciate the contribution of Sesa Football academy in the field of grassroot football development through their residential football academy. I also urge all the aspiring youngsters from Goa to take the benefit of this amazing football training facility. I believe, Goa has massive potential to excel in sports and our constant endeavour will be to identify and nurture these sports talents through robust trainings and right platform. Goa is hosting 37th National Games which will further uplift the spirit of sports across the state.’’
SFA aims to develop quality footballers from the state of Goa and across the country by creating environment for discovering, nurturing, and building talent for Indian Football. The academy identifies and trains talented youngsters, who are passionate about football at the grassroot level by inducting them into its residential programme and over a period of four years, nurtures and develops them into professional footballers and well-disciplined citizens while taking care of their academic education throughout the residential training programme.
SFA has groomed 183 footballers since its inception in 1999 and has made tremendous impact on the football fraternity across the country. Most of the academy alumni have represented the National team, I-League clubs, and prestigious football clubs across the nation. Nine players have earned the National cap and many alumni have played the Indian Super League (ISL).
Navin Jaju, CEO, Sesa Goa, Vedanta Limited said: “In line with Vedanta Group’s larger vision of giving back to the communities through Sports; transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse, Vedanta Sesa Goa has been deeply committed to nurturing football talent and fostering its growth in Goa and India since past over two decades. I am happy to see that our Sesa Football Academy’s (SFA) commitment, training and guidance has been instrumental in propelling the aspirations of these young and talented youth as they embark on their journey towards professional football career and take the SFA legacy forward.”
He added, “Congratulations and best wishes to all the players graduating today their families and heartfelt commendations to our dedicated academy coaches staff for the outstanding achievement. I am sure these SFA shining stars will bring us immense pride as they rise to newer heights in their future footballing careers.”
Annanya Agarwal, President, Vedanta Sports said, “I am immensely proud of the graduating players of Sesa Football Academy on this momentous day. It is a testament to their unwavering dedication, perseverance, and passion for the beautiful game of football. I congratulate each player on their achievements and wish them the very best as they embark on their professional football journeys. As a strong advocate for youth empowerment through sports development, I firmly believe in the transformative power of sports in shaping lives and fostering holistic growth. At Vedanta Sports, we’ll continue to support and encourage the dreams and aspirations of young athletes, as they truly represent the future of sports in India.”
