Reinforcing its position as one of Goa & India’s leading football development institutions, Sesa Football Academy (SFA), the flagship CSR initiative of Vedanta Iron And Steel Limited (VISL), has achieved two significant milestones. The Sesa FA has been awarded the prestigious AIFF Three-Star Academy Accreditation for 2026–27 for the second time, while academy striker Shiva Kumar earned a call-up for the India U-15 Boys National Team trials, reaffirming SFA’s continued contribution to Indian football.
Awarded by the All-India Football Federation (AIFF), the Three-Star Accreditation recognises academies that consistently meet and exceed national benchmarks across player development, coaching, infrastructure, governance and football operations. The recognition reflects SFA’s holistic football development ecosystem, encompassing dedicated pathways for boys, men, girls and women’s football, sustained investment in talent development and active support for the broader football community.
Commenting on the achievement, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, CEO – Vedanta Iron And Steel Limited, said: “At Vedanta Iron and Steel Limited, we believe that sport has the power to inspire, transform and create opportunities for young people. As our flagship CSR initiative, Sesa Football Academy has been nurturing footballing talent for over 27 years, creating opportunities for the youth of Goa and contributing to Indian football. Being recognised with the AIFF Three-Star Academy Accreditation for the second time, is a proud milestone that reflects SFA’s commitment to excellence. It inspires us to continue creating opportunities to strengthen Goan & Indian football by empowering the next generation of talent.”
In another development, Shiva Kumar was selected by the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) for the India U-15 Boys National Team trials, being conducted as part of the preparations for the FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival 2026, testifying to SFA’s strong development credentials. Shiva has previously been selected for the AIFF FIFA Talent Academy (U-15) in 2025, underscoring his consistent growth and potential on the national stage. Expressing his thoughts Shiva Kumar said, “I am extremely happy and grateful to have received this opportunity to attend the India U-15 National Team trials. I sincerely thank Sesa Football Academy and all my coaches for believing in me, guiding me and helping me improve every day.”
Established in 1999, Sesa Football Academy has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing footballing talent from Goa and across India, with 14 players from the Academy having represented country internationally. Over the past year, SFA teams participated in 188 competitive matches, while the SFA hosted 113 matches at its Sirsaim ground, further strengthening the competitive football ecosystem in Goa. The Academy continues to create a strong pipeline of players for professional clubs and national teams, reinforcing Vedanta Iron And Steel Limited’s commitment to bridging the gap between aspirations & opportunity.
