Hindustan Zinc has strengthened its commitment to grassroots sports development through its flagship initiative, the Zinc Football Academy, which has positively influenced more than 1,400 young footballers over the past year. The academy, established to nurture football talent from rural and tribal communities, continues to emerge as one of India’s leading grassroots football development programmes.
Based in Zawar near Udaipur, Rajasthan, the residential academy focuses on identifying talented boys and girls from underprivileged backgrounds and providing them with professional football training, education, nutrition, and modern sports infrastructure free of cost. The initiative aims to create opportunities for rural youth while promoting football culture in regions where access to professional sports facilities remains limited.
The academy has gained national recognition for its structured training system and player development pathway. In recent years, it received the prestigious Elite 3-Star accreditation from the All India Football Federation, placing it among the top youth football academies in the country. Officials stated that the recognition reflects the academy’s growing contribution to Indian football and its emphasis on long-term player development.
Over the years, several players trained at the academy have represented Rajasthan and national-level teams. Young footballers such as Mohammed Kaif and Sahil Poonia have emerged from the programme and gone on to represent India, highlighting the academy’s success in identifying and nurturing talent from grassroots communities.
The initiative has also expanded its focus on women’s football. In partnership with the AIFF, Hindustan Zinc recently launched India’s first residential football academy exclusively for girls from rural backgrounds. The academy began with an inaugural batch of under-15 players and aims to encourage greater female participation in sports while creating equal opportunities for aspiring athletes.
Apart from residential training, the organisation conducts talent scouting camps and community football programmes across Rajasthan. These outreach activities help identify promising players from villages and small towns who may otherwise lack exposure to professional coaching. Earlier community programmes reportedly engaged thousands of children through football clusters and youth tournaments across multiple districts in Rajasthan.
The academy’s teams have also delivered impressive performances in domestic competitions. Recently, the Zinc Football Academy won the Rajasthan League Senior Men’s A-Division title with one of the youngest squads in the tournament. The achievement strengthened its reputation as a strong talent-development centre for Indian football.
Company officials believe sports can become a powerful tool for social transformation by promoting discipline, confidence, teamwork, and career opportunities among rural youth. Through continued investment in football infrastructure, coaching, and grassroots engagement, Hindustan Zinc aims to contribute to the growth of Indian football while supporting community development through sports.
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