27/08/2014 … The index of mineral production of mining and quarrying sector for the month of June (new Series 2004-05=100) 2014 at 121.5, was 4.3% higher as compared to June 2013..The cumulative growth for the period April- June 2014-15 over the corresponding period of previous year stands at (+) 3.2%.

 The total value of mineral prduction (excluding atomic & minor minerals) in the country during June 2014 was Rs. 17615 crore. The contribution of : coal was the highest at Rs. 5882 crore (33%). Next in the order of importance were: petroleum (crude) Rs. 5706 crore, iron ore Rs. 2360 crore, natural gas (utilized) Rs. 1809 crore, lignite Rs. 490 crore and limestone Rs. 403 crore. These six minerals together contributed about 95% of the total value of mineral production in June 2014.

 Production level of important minerals in June 2014 were: coal 441 lakh tonnes, lignite 43 lakh tonnes, natural gas (utilized) 2826 million cu. m., petroleum (crude) 31 lakh tonnes, bauxite 1780 thousand tonnes, chromite 241 thousand tonnes, copper conc. 9 thousand tonnes, gold 131 kg., iron ore 117 lakh tonnes, lead conc. 15 thousand tonnes, manganese ore 224 thousand tonnes, zinc conc. 102 thousand tonnes, apatite & phosphorite 151 thousand tonnes, dolomite 605 thousand tonnes, limestone 238 lakh tonnes, magnesite 22 thousand tonnes and diamond 3916 carat.

 The production of important minerals showing positive growth during June 2014 over June 2013 include ‘apatite & phosphorite’ (144.7%), ‘diamond’ (43.2%), ‘magnesite’ (25.2%), ‘manganese ore’(21.7%), ‘lignite’(14.6%), ‘coal’ (9.7%), ‘dolomite’ (8.4%), ‘iron ore’(7.7%), ‘limestone’ (5.9%), ‘bauxite’ and ‘gold’ (5.7%) each and ‘petroleum (crude)’ (0.1%).The production of other important minerals showing negative growth are: ‘chromite’ [(-) 0.7%], ‘natural gas (utilized)’ [(-) 1.5%], ‘lead conc.’ [(-) 19.3%], ‘zinc conc.’ [(-) 22.8%] and ‘copper conc.’ [(-) 23.5%].

27/08/2014 … Sporting Clube de Goa was visited by AFC inspectors who carried out checks as part of the AFC club licensing criteria, on Tuesday.

The experts took a close look at the training ground facilities at Don Bosco ground, Panjim before heading to the SCG headquarters in Campal to carry out interviews of the staff and coaches.

The criteria which was being assessed was Infrastructure, Sporting, financial, legal and personnel/administrative.

Head of AFC research and support services Steve Kim presented The AFC’s new regulations for participation in AFC competitions. He was accompanied by AFC Manager of Accounts Kevin Org and AFC Head of Club Licensing Mahajan Nair .

I-League CEO Sunando Dhar and I-League club licensing manager Roma Khanna were also present on behalf of the Aiff.

27/08/2014 … Super Sub Victorino Fernandes came off the bench to equalize as Sporting Clube de Goa drew 1-1 with Salgaocar Football Club in Gfa’s Goa Pro League, at Duler stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday. Salgaocar were leading 1-0 at the interval.

Reigning Goa Pro League champions, Sporting Goa took time to find their groove, but when they finally did there was no looking back as Victorino caused all kinds of havoc with his pace.

Salgaocar moved the ball well in the first session and were rewarded when Pierre Douhou beautifully netted into the top corner with a strike from outside the box, just two minutes before the breather.

Changing over Sporting Goa was resilient as they sprayed the ball around positively and patiently. The introduction of Victorino of the bench for the Flaming Oranje increased the tempo.

Within ten minutes of coming on, Victorino did well to intercept a short back pass to the goalkeeper and stole in to bury the ball low for the Sporting Goa equalizer.

Sporting Goa continued to grow in confidence, but could not add to the score line. In the end both teams had to settle for a point each.

PHOTO: Sporting Goa’s Victorino (no.14) celebrates with team mates after netting the equalizer.

Panaji, August 27, 2014 … The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs invites proposals  from the State Level NGOs for the Central  Government Scheme of National Programme for Youth and Adolescent  Development.

The Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is  implementing  the Scheme of National Programme for  Youth and Adolescent  Development (NPYAD). The updated guidelines for financial  assistance  under  the Scheme are available  on the website of the said Ministry at www.yas.nic.in. As per the existing  guidelines, proposals  are now solicited  from the State  Governments  and eligible  State Level NGOs for conducting programmes under  Promotion of National Integration, Promotion of Adventure and  Empowerment  and Development  of Adolescent  under the NPYAD Scheme.

The project proposals received from State  Level NGOs are to be in turn  recommended  by respective  State Governments  with applications for grant-in-aid for the year  2014-15 with all documents  as per the guidelines. All the proposals  of State Level NGOs  should be submitted to Directorate of Sports  and Youth Affairs latest by October 10, 2014.

The NGO should be registered under any of the following Acts for the last three years: The  Societies  Registration Act, of 1860 or,  Cooperative  Societies  Act, 1912 or,  Charitable and Religion Act, 1920 or, The Indian  Trust Act, 1982 or, Indian Companies Act, 1950 and the  Non-Government Organization (NGO) should be registered  under the Income Tax Act.

The NGO should have at least  three years of experience  in implementation of Youth  Development Scheme launched by the Government Department and at least  two years experience  in implementation of any of the Government Scheme.

For more details, contact Shri Laxmidas Mangeshker, Asstt. Phy. Education Officer, Directorate  of Sports and Youth Affairs, Campal, Panaji (Mobile No: 9822484874).

26/08/2014 …. Star players from Sporting Clube de Goa brought along a very special surprise when they paid a community visit to the Margaret Bosco Bal Sadan Orphanage, at Bastora on Monday.

Sporting Clube de Goa recently roped in the highly rated Sesa FA trio comprising of defender Ganesh Thakur, midfielder Glan Martins and forward Olvin Cardozo and they were all present for the visit to the orphanage along with Creson Antao and Pratesh Shirodkar.

The young wards from the shelter were excited as they ran to the vehicles to greet the players. After a brief interaction, the boys performed a small exhibition match.

The game ended goalless and moved to penalties, where the Flaming Oranje stars joined in the fun.

Fr Joe Fernandes and Fr Kim Fernandes who do an admirable job in looking after these happy youngsters were part of the penalty shootout also.

The day continued with refreshments, before the Sporting Goa stars presented the Goa Pro League Winners trophy to the youngsters whose eyes lit up, with delight. “You are all winners”, proclaimed Pratesh, before allowing the children to bask in the glory of lifting the coveted cup, which Sporting Goa had won last season.

“It was a nice feeling to visit these boys,” stated Glan. Team mate Ganesh was equally as excited. “If we can inspire these boys to work hard, it is a positive step,” said Ganesh.

“I joined Sporting Clube de Goa not only for their style of play, but also because the efforts they make to connect with the community in Growing Goa’s Game,” remarked Olvin. In the past year they have developed an academy, adopted Schools, organised grass root tournaments, besides conducting All Goa trials,” added Olvin.

Sporting Clube de Goa CEO Victor Fernandes was also present along with, Manager Angelo Albuquerque, General Secretary Edward Noronha and Head of Youth development Mahesh Lotlikar.