Hindustan Zinc's Football Academy Secures Spot in AIFF U-18 Elite League Final Round
In a significant achievement for grassroots football development, the Zinc Football Academy (ZFA), the flagship social impact initiative of Vedanta Group company Hindustan Zinc, has qualified for the Final Round of the AIFF Under-18 Elite League 2025–26. The qualification follows an exceptionally strong performance in the Zonal Round, where local talents from the Zawar region played a pivotal role in driving the Academy's success.
Dominant Zonal Campaign with Impressive Statistics
The Academy's journey through the zonal round has been nothing short of spectacular. ZFA registered an impressive record of 11 wins from 14 matches, accompanied by two draws and only a single defeat. This commanding performance allowed them to comfortably secure their place in the prestigious Final Round. Notably, the team's home record stood out as particularly remarkable, remaining unbeaten in all seven home matches. During these home games, ZFA scored an astounding 37 goals while conceding none, showcasing both offensive prowess and defensive solidity.
The zonal round, which commenced in November 2025, follows a comprehensive home-and-away format where each team faces their opponents twice. This structure tests consistency and adaptability, qualities that ZFA demonstrated abundantly throughout the campaign.
Local Talents from Zawar Shine Bright
Among the standout contributors to the team's success is Zawar's own Himesh Meena, who has been part of the Academy for the past two years. After suffering a challenging injury during last season's Final Round of the national youth league that kept him sidelined for nearly four months, Himesh has made an inspiring comeback this season. Playing primarily as a forward while also contributing effectively in midfield, he has become a mainstay of the team, scoring crucial goals, linking up play seamlessly, and creating numerous opportunities for his teammates.
Two other promising players from Zawar—Ritik Meena and Sahil Meena—have also made significant strides this season by making their first team debuts in the AIFF Under-18 Elite League Zonal Round. Ritik, a forward, and Sahil, a defender, both began their football journey through the Zinc Football Community Schools programme and have progressed steadily through the development pathway meticulously created by Zinc Football.
Coming from humble backgrounds, the rise of these three young footballers has brought immense pride to their families and the wider football-loving community in Zawar. Their progress vividly reflects the growing impact of Hindustan Zinc's Zinc Football program, which continues to nurture local talent and create meaningful opportunities for young players through the world's most beloved sport.
Academy's Legacy and Broader Impact
Since its inception in 2018, Zinc Football Academy—an AIFF 3-star rated Academy—has consistently produced players for India's age-group teams, significantly strengthening the nation's talent pool. After Sahil Poonia, Mohammed Kaif, and Prem Hansdak already having donned the national colours, the recent performances of goalkeeper Rajrup Sarkar with the India Under-17 National team marked another proud milestone in the Academy's continued commitment to contributing meaningfully to Indian Football's growth story.
Furthermore, the company has recently launched India's first residential football academy for girls, with an inaugural batch of 20 girls from rural backgrounds, expanding opportunities in women's football.
Hindustan Zinc's Decades-Long Sports Legacy
Hindustan Zinc has supported sports for nearly four decades, beginning with its football stadium at Zawar in 1976, which continues to host annual National Football Tournaments. Extending beyond football to athletics, kabaddi, and volleyball, the company nurtures talent at the grassroots level comprehensively. Its Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon has put Udaipur on the global running map, with sports initiatives collectively impacting nearly 30,000 lives across various disciplines.
The success of the Zinc Football Academy in the AIFF Under-18 Elite League underscores the effectiveness of corporate-led sports development programs in identifying and honing talent from remote regions, contributing to both local pride and national sporting excellence.
