Sesa–GFDC U-12 Girls Tournament Concludes Successfully; Quepem Centre Crowned Champions
Goa, 23 May 2026: The finals of the Sesa–GFDC U-12 Girls Tournament, organised by the Goa Football Development Council (GFDC) in association with Sesa Football Academy (SFA) concluded at Bambolim Stadium, Goa, underscoring the added impetus for developing the girls’ grassroots football in the State.
The summit clash witnessed an exciting contest between GFDC Quepem Centre and GFDC Ambelim Centre. After a closely fought match ended 0-0 in regulation time, GFDC Quepem Centre emerged victorious 3-1 in the penalty shootout to lift the championship title. The tournament, brought together 21 teams and over 300 young girls from across North and South Goa, making it one of the largest structured grassroots football platforms dedicated to girls in the state. The initiative aimed at encouraging greater participation of girls in football while also providing a pathway for talent identification and development.
The event was graced by Hon’ble Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs Shri Ramesh Tawadkar as the Chief Guest, in the distinguished presence of Shri Glenn Souza Ticlo, Chairman, GFDC; Shri Dhaku A. Madkaikar, Vice-Chairman, GFDC; and Smt. Fransquinha Oliveira, Member Secretary, GFDC, Mr. PK Mukherjee, Independent Director, Vedanta Limited & Sesa Community Development Foundation along with other officials, coaches, parents, and football enthusiasts from across the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ramesh Tawadkar, Hon’ble Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, said, “It is heartening to witness such enthusiastic participation from young girls across Goa in a structured grassroots football tournament of this scale. Platforms like the Sesa–GFDC U-12 Girls Tournament are extremely important for nurturing talent, building confidence, and strengthening the sporting culture among the youth. I congratulate GFDC and Sesa Football Academy for their dedicated efforts towards promoting girls’ football and creating meaningful opportunities for young athletes across the state.”
Shri Glenn Souza Ticlo, Chairman, GFDC, said, “The success of this tournament reflects the tremendous potential that exists in girls’ football in Goa. Organising and sustaining initiatives of this scale requires strong partnerships and committed support. Corporate backing such as that extended by Vedanta Iron and Steel Limited through Sesa Football Academy plays a significant role in strengthening grassroots football development in the state. We hope more corporates come forward to support such initiatives and contribute towards building a stronger future for football in Goa.”
Mr. P. K. Mukherjee, Independent Director, Vedanta Limited & Sesa Community Development Foundation, said, “At Vedanta, we strongly believe in the transformative power of sports in shaping confident and empowered communities. Through Sesa Football Academy, we remain committed to nurturing grassroots football talent and creating inclusive opportunities for young girls to pursue the sport. The overwhelming participation and enthusiasm witnessed during this tournament reflects the bright future of women’s football in Goa, and we are proud to partner with GFDC in this meaningful endeavour.”
The individual award winners of the tournament were Best Player of the Tournament – Uriel Fernandes (GFDC Ambelim), Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Shanaica Gonsalves (GFDC Mandrem), Best Defender of the Tournament – Eleora Crasto (GFDC Ambelim), Most Promising Player – Aliza Fernandes (GFDC Quepem), Best Player of the Final – Svea Fernandes (GFDC Quepem)
Sesa Football Academy, the flagship CSR initiative of Vedanta Iron and Steel Limited, has contributed to building of a robust girls and womens football ecosystem through initiatives such as the Vedanta Women’s League and the hosting of key girls and womens tournaments. In addition, the SFA senior Wwomen’s team represented the state at the IWL.
