Business India ×
  Magazine:
CSR

Published on: Feb. 14, 2023, 11:06 a.m.
Fields of dreams set to redefine football in Goa
  • Man in action: Godinho kick-starting the football matches

By Lancelot Joseph. Executive Editor, Business India

Goa is the top three footballing states in India. So, six years ago, the Forca Goa Foundation (FGF) a sister-concern of FC Goa, an Indian Super League football club, conducted a study on the 196 football fields in Goa, to create a robust grassroots football movement. 

The study revealed that only a small percentage of the pitches were fit for safe and accessible to play. “So, Forca Goa looked at revamping three football grounds under the CSR project called ‘fields of dreams’, with the funding received from Delta Corp,” explains Akshay Tandon, ED, Forca Goa Foundation & president, FC Goa. “The initiative was to develop football in the state”.

“The youth of India deserve a fair chance at honing their skills and pursuing their dreams,” affirms Tandon. “With this project, we plan to make tangible impacts to people’s lives. We estimate to have impacted 5,000 families with our pilot project in Salvador; and the grounds in Guirim will further impact more than 20,000 people in the surrounding regions.”

With Delta Corp helping to implement this project financially, FGF is committed to enhance the lives of children and communities in the country, starting with Goa. This project also aims to bridge the gap in grassroots football development by facilitating state-of-the-art football grounds accessible to all.

Delta Corp, one of India’s leading gaming and hospitality companies, is dedicated to uplift the sports culture in India in general and Goa in particular, with the launch of the ‘field of dreams’ project. Delta Corp Limited, a flagship company of the group, is the only listed company engaged in the gaming (live, electronic, and online) and hospitality space in India. Incorporated in 1990 as a textiles and real estate consultancy, Delta Corp has evolved into diversified segments like Casino gaming, Online gaming, Hospitality, and Real estate. Delta Corp, along with its subsidiaries, owns and operates the ‘Deltin’ brand of luxury casinos in Goa and Sikkim and also an international casino in Nepal. The company also owns and operates the ‘Deltin Suites’ – an all-suite casino-hotel in Goa and ‘The Deltin’, a five-star hotel and integrated resort in Daman, with a proposed casino.

Revamped football grounds

This is a one-of-a-kind initiative that looks to redefine what grassroots football can do for Goa, and India too, by creating ‘fields of dreams’ – spaces, where the local community can have access to opportunities previously unavailable to them.  

The revamped football grounds are equipped with state-of-the-art playing surfaces with a sand base, efficient drainage and sprinkling systems and other necessary infrastructure.  “Football is part of the identity of Goa,” says Pramod Sawant, CM, Goa. “It’s one of our greatest passions. Over the years, footballers from the state have been a source of inspiration and pride. This project has the potential to make a profound impact in the lives of all Goans. I hope this project sets an example for others to come to the fore, as we all look to grow together”.

  • We are confident that this project will help in developing football talent in the state and further give a real boost to the country

“We are confident that this project will help in developing football talent in the state and further give a real boost to the country,” adds Jaydev Mody, chairman, Delta Corp.

“It will allow children to explore their talents and pursue their dreams. This project is a testament to Delta Corp’s commitment to the development of the people of Goa and is a part of our larger mission to create a better sports culture for India. ‘Fields of dreams’ will not only see the development of football turfs and provision of basic footballing infrastructure, but also other facilities for the community that include a community hall, organic food gardens and areas for the elderly to gather. It will be a true amalgamation of how football can bring people together”. Mody, together with Mauvin Godinho,  minister for transport, etc, government of Goa, flagged off the launch event, staged in Monte de Guirim, Goa. The minister has set his target to kick off action in the ground at Bagmola in the next six months.

Corporate Report

How IRM Energy fuels growth, naturally

IRM Energy moves ahead with a clear vision towards transitioning to an energy-oriented company

Cover Feature

Air India 3.0: New wings

Irrespective of whether the final number is 470 or 840, Air India’s massive plane order is the best indication of its confident moves to reclaim its preeminent position in Indian skies

Special Report

How prepared are we to face El Nino

India gears up to tackle the heat wave and El Nino concerns which could spoil the rural party

Corporate Report

CapitaLand expands horizons

Singapore’s CapitaLand is looking to significantly enlarge its portfolio in India

E-MAGAZINE
Air India 3.0-new wings
One step forward two steps backward
Budget 2023
FROM THIS ISSUE

Corporate Report

Technology

Government

Government

Business Notes

Business Notes

Agriculture

The introduction of black pepper as an inter-crop in the sopari and coconut orchards, has enabled farmers to cultivate crops simultaneously

Skill Development

In 2020-21, the programme reached over 112,482 girls in urban and rural locations across six states in India, including 10,000 across Delhi

Collaboration

The event brought together stakeholders and changemakers to participate in a series of conversations on global trends and recent developments

Healthcare

The programme will focus on educating children on oral health and building awareness around the dangers of tobacco use

Airports

Airports set green deadline

Published on March 24, 2023, 12:01 p.m.

Currently Mumbai, Cochin and 25 other airports are using 100 per cent Green Energy

Government and Policy

TN plans to make RE share 50 per cent by 2030

Published on March 24, 2023, 11:44 a.m.

Tamil Nadu is banking high on renewable and green energy

Renewable Energy

Global green investment to triple by 2030: EC

Published on March 24, 2023, 11:22 a.m.

The bloc has also set a goal for carbon capture of 50 million tonnes by 2030

E-vehicles

Ola to raise $300m for expansion

Published on March 24, 2023, 11:03 a.m.

The fundraising would be managed by investment bank Goldman Sachs