MAPUSA: Sesa Football Academy’s (SFA) main objective of starting the Academy in June 1999 was to nurture and sharpen the talent of Goan boys to become professional players and the side has managed to produce some of the finest players who are currently playing top level football in the country.
It’s been two decades ever since the academy was formed and the objectives still remain the same till date as the Sesa FA coach Charles Dias was realistic about his goals for the 2020-21 Goa Professional League season, as he targets top four finish, but more importantly stressed on player developments.
“Our main objective is player development. Our academy goals are to see maximum players playing across most of the Indian clubs as well as Indian National team. Yes, as a coach I do have certain goals in competition. I would aim for the top four finishes but nothing would be sweeter than seeing our players selected for Goa and India,” stated Coach Charles Dias.
Sesa FA is a unit of Sesa Community Development Foundation, which is promoted by Vedanta Limited with the objective of service to the community in its operational areas.
It was a gradual progress where after playing in the Goan lower league`s Sesa Football Academy were finally the champions of the Goa First Division League in the 2018–19 season which earned them an automatic promotion to the Goa Professional League.
However, due to the COVID 19 pandemic the 2019-2020 league could not be completed and they had to be satisfied with the 7th spot in the league table.
This year, the squad boasts maximum players from their youth ranks. Nearly 17-18 Under-20 players are registered for the Professional League. A sign that the club still believes in promoting youth players from their academy.
Charles before taking the responsibility of coaching Sesa FA was himself a product of the Academy who after graduating played for some elite clubs in Goa like Salcette FC, Raia SC, Wilred Leisure SC, Vasco SC, Churchill Brothers SC, Sporting club de Goa, Cabral SC and Sesa FA.
Last season, the club didn’t enjoy much success in the league. However, many of their players were roped in by top clubs across the country. Some of the academy players were placed in elite clubs - such as Anil Chavan to Mohun Bagan-ATK, who is now playing his trade at East Bengal FC. Another defender Shoib Aktar moved to I-League team Neroco FC, and Beckham Xavier made the switch to Goa Pro League team Vasco SC.
Two goalkeepers -- Hansel Coelho and Viddhesh Bhonsle, were both selected for the FC Goa Development Squad.
This season the club has signed in two seasoned campaigners --Cajeton Fernandes from Sporting Clube De Goa and Akash from Calangute Association to bring in a right balance in the team.
Charles mentioned the preparation was different compared to the previous years where the players had to strictly adhere COVID guidelines at Sesa Football Academy Sirsaim ground.
“With limited on field training sessions we had developed online training modules for players development to ensure virtual training sessions during COVID times,” expressed Charles.
Charles concluded by saying “We have well qualified and dedicated skilled coaches who are completely facilitating the players development right from grass root level to groom them as professional footballers.”