###Zawar’s Local Talent Shines on National Stage; Key Role in Zinc Football Academy’s Qualification for AIFF U-18 Elite League Final Round
Udaipur: Young footballers from Zawar have made a strong mark on the national stage, playing a crucial role in Zinc Football Academy (ZFA) qualifying for the Final Round of the AIFF Under-18 Elite League 2025–26. The academy, a flagship social impact initiative of Hindustan Zinc Limited, a Vedanta Group company, delivered an impressive performance during the Zonal Round.
ZFA registered 11 wins in 14 matches, along with two draws and just one loss, comfortably securing their place in the Final Round. Their home performance was particularly dominant, remaining unbeaten in all seven matches, scoring 37 goals without conceding a single goal. The Zonal Round, which began in November 2025, follows a home-and-away format.
Among the standout performers is Zawar’s own Himesh Meena, who has been part of the academy for the past two years. After being sidelined for nearly four months due to an injury sustained during last season’s final round, Himesh made a remarkable comeback this season. Playing primarily as a forward while also contributing in midfield, he has emerged as a key player—scoring crucial goals, creating chances, and linking up play effectively.
Two other promising talents from Zawar, Ritik Meena and Sahil Meena, have also made significant progress this season, earning their first-team debuts during the Zonal Round. Ritik, a forward, and Sahil, a defender, began their journeys through the Zinc Football Community Schools programme and have steadily progressed through the academy’s structured development pathway.
Coming from humble backgrounds, the rise of these young players has brought pride to their families and the wider Zawar community. Their success highlights the growing impact of Hindustan Zinc’s grassroots football initiatives, which continue to nurture local talent and create meaningful opportunities through sport. Several other players from Zawar are also part of the academy’s senior and Under-15 girls’ teams.
Since its inception in 2018, Zinc Football Academy—an AIFF 3-star rated institution—has consistently contributed players to India’s age-group national teams, strengthening the country’s football talent pool. Players such as Sahil Poonia, Mohammed Kaif, and Prem Hansdak have already represented India, while goalkeeper Rajrup Sarkar recently featured for the India Under-17 national team, marking another milestone for the academy.
Further strengthening its commitment, Hindustan Zinc recently launched India’s first residential football academy for girls, with an inaugural batch of 20 players from rural backgrounds.
The company’s association with sports spans nearly four decades, beginning with the establishment of a football stadium in Zawar in 1976, which continues to host national tournaments. Beyond football, Hindustan Zinc also promotes athletics, kabaddi, and volleyball at the grassroots level. Its Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon has placed Udaipur on the global running map, with its sports initiatives impacting nearly 30,000 lives.
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