Udaipur : Hindustan Zinc’s Zinc Football Academy has once again showcased its commitment to nurturing football talents, as four of the Academy’s exceptional players have been selected for the Under-16 Boys National Team Preparatory Camp to be held in Jammu and Kashmir from 25th July 2023.
The national camp will present the four Zinc Football Academy players -Puneet Kumar, Mohd. Kaif, Himesh Meena and Prem Hansdak – a vital platform to showcase their talent and earn a prestigious spot in the Indian National team.
Sharing his excitement at the Academy’s consistent success in producing top talents, CEO – Hindustan Zinc – Arun Misra said: “We are immensely proud of our Zinc Football Academy and its exceptional players who continue to excel at various levels. Seeing four of our Academy’s players making it to the National Camp fills us with immense joy and reinforces our commitment to fostering footballing excellence in India.”
Annanya Agarwal, President, Vedanta Sports, was also delighted with the news. He said: “My heartfelt congratulations to the four talented young stars at Zinc Football Academy. Our vision has always been to nurture raw talent and provide a nurturing environment for their growth and excellence in the sport. Beyond the pitch, this success also reflects the positive impact of football on communities. This news has come with immense joy, inspiration, and a sense of pride to the families and coaches who have been an integral part of our players’ journey.”
An emotional Mohd. Sayeed, father of Zinc Football Academy player Mohd. Kaif and a former footballer himself, expressed his joy saying: “When I initially came to drop off Kaif at Zinc Football Academy, I felt nervous. However, today, I am delighted to see his growth and development thus far. I feel very proud to see my son working such wonders and I wish him all the best at the national camp. I wholeheartedly thank Hindustan Zinc for giving such a world-class platform and nurturing these young children like Kaif who are passionate about the sport.”
The flagship CSR programme of Hindustan Zinc’s Vedanta Zinc Football and Sports Foundation, Zinc Football has been instrumental in identifying and honing young football talents from diverse backgrounds and providing them with state-of-the-art infrastructure, training and education. The Academy, which is at the heart of the initiative, has already produced national talent – Goalkeeper Sahil Poonia, who is now a prominent player of the India Under-17 National Team.
The selection of four more budding talents in the national camp highlights the academy’s dedication to fostering excellence in football and further strengthens its position as a breeding ground for future football stars in India.