The Columbus Project has featured in these pages since its inception in January 2026: Columbus Spence’s initiative, backed by his father and Karma Group Chairman John Spence, pairing underprivileged children in Goa with the coaching, kit and nutrition that talent alone rarely buys. This edition brings its first proper results.
At the Goa Summer Cup 4.0 in Parra, twelve-year-old Deepak Lamani, loaned by ACE Soccer Academy to Salgaocar FC, scored seven goals across the U-13 tournament and picked up both Best Striker and Best Player of the Tournament.
ACE Soccer Academy, founded in Vasco da Gama in 2014, has trained well over a hundred children since, and Karma Group’s backing has gone into precisely the things that turn raw ability into results: better facilities, better equipment and coaching under AFC “A” Level-accredited Head Coach Umer Mutawali.
Lamani is one name among many at ACE. Given the Columbus Project’s track record so far, he won’t be the last one we’ll be lavishing praise on.
