Hindustan Zinc Football Tournament Kickoff

Udaipur, The 44th edition of the All India Mohan Kumar Mangalam Hindu Zinc Football Tournament kicked off with a grand opening ceremony at the M.K.M. Stadium in Zinc City. The prestigious 10-day M.K.M. Football Tournament features 12 teams from across the country competing for glory.

The inaugural match was played between Hindustan Zinc Eleven and Doon Star FC Dehradun, and the opening ceremony was graced by former Indian footballer Climax Lawrence, along with the Chief Guest Munish Vasudev, C.H.R.A.O. of Hindustan Zinc, and U.M. Shankardas, President of the Hindustan Zinc Worker Federation.

The tournament, hosted by Vedanta Group's Hindustan Zinc, will run from January 20 to 29, 2024. The event commenced with a spectacular ceremony at the M.K.M. Stadium on Saturday. Climax Lawrence expressed his congratulations and best wishes to the participating players, encouraging them to reach international levels and bring glory to the nation. He also praised Hindustan Zinc for their efforts in promoting football at the grassroots level.

The competition features teams from various regions, including Shimla Young Club, Delhi Round Glass FC, Punjab Central Bank of India, Mumbai Artillery Center, Hyderabad, Doon Star FC Dehradun, BSF Siliguri, Arya-X Superb FC Kolkata, Rajasthan Police D.F.A., Udaipur, and Hindustan Zinc Eleven. These teams will compete for the prestigious trophy in the renowned football tournament.

Arun Mishra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc, and Vedanta's Executive Director, extended best wishes to the players, emphasizing Hindustan Zinc's commitment to promoting football facilities and enhancing the sports infrastructure in Rajasthan.

The Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Zinc, Manmeet Singh, along with other dignitaries such as Abhimanyu Ranawat, Anupam Nidhi, Maitreyi Sankhla, Akash Narula, Swapnesh Bansal, Rajeev Petti, Mohammad Ali, Subrato Das, Ashutosh Pathak, and C.T. Premnath, were present at the event.

For nearly four decades, Hindustan Zinc has been dedicated to fostering a strong connection with sports, particularly football, to build a robust foundation for the game at the grassroots level. The establishment of the Zinc Football Stadium in 1976 marked a significant milestone in this endeavor.

The M.K.M. Tournament not only serves as a platform for competitive football but also contributes to cultural preservation through various initiatives aligned with the Zinc City campaign. Over the years, Hindustan Zinc has been actively involved in nurturing the spirit of sportsmanship, creating a unique bond between employees, communities, agencies, and sports enthusiasts.

The presence of renowned personalities and the support from various sectors make the M.K.M. Football Tournament a significant cultural and sporting event in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The tournament aims not only to showcase football talent but also to strengthen the community's emotional connection with the sport.