PANAJI
On National Sports Day, observed every year on 29 August in honour of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, Vedanta Iron and Steel Limited (VISL) reaffirmed its commitment to the government's vision of “Khelega Bharat, Jeetega Bharat,” spotlighting two of its longest-running grassroots sporting initiatives, the Sesa Football Academy in Goa and the Vedanta ESL Archery Academy in Jharkhand, which together have given hundreds of young athletes a genuine pathway from grassroots participation to national and international competition.
What began in 1999 in Sankhali, building on the legacy of the Sesa Sports Club, has evolved into one of India's recognised football development programmes. Established to give talented youngsters the opportunity to pursue football seriously, the Sesa Football Academy (SFA) has since seen more than 230 players graduate from its residential programme, with 14 going on to represent India internationally. Beyond the academy, SFA's leagues, camps, tournaments and grassroots initiatives have engaged over 8,000 young footballers, and the academy has retained its AIFF Three-Star Accreditation for a second consecutive cycle.
Speaking on the occasion, Pankaj Kumar Sharma, CEO & Whole-Time Director, VISL, said, “Through Sesa Football Academy and the Vedanta ESL Archery Academy, Vedanta Iron and Steel Limited has witnessed the transformative power of sport. Beyond goals scored and medals won, its lasting impact lies in giving young people the confidence to pursue ambitions they once thought were beyond their reach.”
Since 2018, the Vedanta ESL Archery Academy (VEAA) has nurtured young archery talent from communities surrounding its Jharkhand operations. To date, 175 students have trained or graduated through the programme, winning more than 120 district medals, 60 state medals and 15 national medals. In 2025, the academy's impact was underlined when Kuldeep Mahato won a national gold medal, and Doli Kumari secured a national silver medal, demonstrating how sustained training and support can help rural talent compete on the national stage.
“Talent can come from anywhere, but it needs opportunity to flourish. At the Vedanta ESL Archery Academy, we are proud to see young people develop the confidence and discipline to aim higher. Every medal matters, but even more important is the aspiration it inspires in the next child who believes, ‘I can do this too,’” said Ravish Sharma, CEO & Whole-Time Director, ESL Steel Limited.
