Jersey Unveiling Marks the Launch of 8th Vedanta Women’s League
The Vedanta Women’s League 2024 is all set for a launch on 22 Nov 24 and the official commencement of the event was marked by the Jersey Unveiling Ceremony held at the Sesa Goa Head Office at Panjim. The participating teams include Sesa Football Academy, Calangute Association, Guardian Angels SC, Livval Sports Club, Patrong Sports Club & Maina Sports Club. The launch of the VWL underscores Vedanta Sesa Goa’s commitment to supporting women’s football & empowering women through meaningful initiatives.
The event was graced by Ms. Maymol Rocky, former Head Coach of the Indian Senior Women’s Football Team and Chairperson of the GFA Women’s Committee, Mr. Anthony Pango, Senior Vice-President, Goa Football Association, Mr. Jonathan De Souza, Vice President, Goa Football Association, Mr. Laxman Hadfadkar, GFA Executive Committee Member, North Goa, Mr. P K Mukherjee, Independent Director, Vedanta Limited & Sesa Community Development Foundation (SCDF) & Mr. Navin Jaju, CEO, Vedanta Sesa Goa. The jerseys were unveiled in the presence of the six team captains who proudly displayed the jerseys and logos, symbolizing their commitment and readiness for the season.
Expressing his thoughts on the occasion, Mr. Navin Jaju, CEO, Vedanta Sesa Goa, said ” Vedanta Women’s League is a powerful platform that empowers young women in football while fostering their personal and professional growth. We are thankful to Goa Football Association for providing us the opportunity to contribute to women’s football in Goa and at the national level. The League has proven to be a powerful vessel of change with over 1100 players having found a platform through its conduct over the past seven seasosn. This initiative, alongside programs like our Computer Centre and Women’s Tailoring Centre, reflects our commitment to giving back to society by creating opportunities that support women’s empowerment. At Vedanta, we believe in #TransformingSports and providing women with the resources to succeed, helping build a future where they have equal opportunities to lead, excel, and inspire. I wish all participating teams the very best.”
Mr. Anthony Pango, Senior Vice President, GFA, lauded the league’s growth:
“The Vedanta Women’s League has set a benchmark for the promotion of women’s football in Goa. It is heartening to witness the league grow stronger every year, empowering young athletes and fostering a spirit of determination and excellence. The team captains present today symbolize leadership and the unwavering commitment required to elevate the game to new heights. Together with Vedanta, we are building a robust ecosystem that inspires not just players but the entire community to believe in the transformative power of sports.”
Ms. Maymol Rocky, a pioneer in Indian women’s football, shared her insights:
“The Vedanta Women’s League is a shining example of how grassroots initiatives can create a profound impact. The presence of the team captains today highlights the strong foundation being laid for the future of women’s football in Goa. Initiatives like this are instrumental in nurturing talent and inspiring countless young girls to pursue their dreams.”
Sharing his thoughts, Mr PK Mukherjee, Independent Director , Vedanta Ltd & Chairman SCDF, said “”The Vedanta Women’s League is a remarkable initiative that aligns seamlessly with our vision and the government’s goal of fostering a diverse workforce, aiming for 30% representation. Empowering women through sports not only enhances their confidence and skills but also contributes significantly to building an inclusive society. At Vedanta, we are committed to driving such transformative efforts that pave the way for a brighter future. Let’s continue to support and celebrate women in football. #LetsFootballForIndia”
Speaking on the occasion, Sushmita Jadhav, Captain Sesa Football Academy expressed “Participating in the Vedanta Women’s League is a tremendous opportunity for players to gain valuable experience and showcase their skills on a competitive platform. It’s a stepping stone for us to grow as athletes and push our limits. We’ve been working very hard as a team, and we are confident in our preparation and determination to perform well in this league.”
Since its launch in 2017, the Vedanta Women’s League has provided a platform for over 1100 women footballers, with several participants going on to represent Goa and India on national and international stages.The 2024 season promises exhilarating matches and inspiring stories of resilience and teamwork. The opening matches scheduled for 22nd November 24, at 3:45 pm with Sesa Football Academy taking on Patrong SC at Sirsaim, Maina SC against Guardian Angel SC at DBO Fatorda & Calangute Association facing Livvals SC at Poriat.
About Vedanta Cares
Vedanta is committed to reinvest in the social good of its neighbourhood communities and the nation. The Group’s flagship CSR project, Nand Ghar, is a network of model anganwadis where the thrust is on inclusive development of women and children at the grassroots level. The Group CSR initiative comprises of seven key verticals – Education, Healthcare, Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Livelihood, Skilling, Sports & Culture and Employee Volunteering. Vedanta Foundation, a philanthropic initiative of Vedanta Group is focused on skill development and vocational training programmes for the underprivileged to make them employable. A key healthcare speciality CSR project is the Balco Medical Center, a 200-bed state-of-the-art Cancer care hospital located in New Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The company supports grassroots level sports through their Football academies in Goa and Udaipur.
About Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa, Namibia, and Australia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing to India’s growth story, currently contributing 1 percent of India’s GDP. The company is among the top private sector contributors to the exchequer with the highest ever contribution of INR 42,560 Crore in FY 2019. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment and on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company has been conferred the CII-ITC Sustainability Award, the FICCI CSR Award, Dun & Bradstreet Awards in Metals & Mining, and certified as a Great Place to Work. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
About SESA Football Academy
An initiative of SESA Community Development Foundation (SCDF), SESA Football Academy (SFA) was founded in 1999 for the holistic development of the local youths through football. The academy has created the conditions for discovering, creating and building talent for football. SFA does not restrict itself to football trainings but involves in a long term residential program which takes care of the formal education, skill development of the trainees during the four-year training period.
The academy has a strong focus on women empowerment through football. Since inception, SFA has trained around 200 footballers and has made tremendous impact on the football fraternity in Goa as well as across India. The graduates from SFA are serving in the national teams, Indian Super League (ISL), I-League clubs of India and clubs in Goa. 7 players have earned the national team cap and several players played the elite ISL.