A historic initiative to promote women’s football in India; 20 U-15 girls to join the first residential batch
Udaipur — Marking a new era of equality, empowerment, and football revolution in India, Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, in partnership with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), has launched North India’s first technology-based Zinc Football Girls Academy in Zawar, Udaipur. The academy is part of Hindustan Zinc’s CSR initiative to spark a football movement at the grassroots level. AIFF will provide strategic and technical support to this Girls Academy.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Indian Women’s Football Team captain Sweety Devi, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, Nivriti Kumari Mewar, Salumber District Collector Avadhesh Meena, Hindustan Zinc Mazdoor Sangh Federation President UM Shankardas, General Secretary Lalu Ram Meena, Rajasthan Football Association Secretary Dilip Singh Shekhawat, Hindustan Zinc COO Kishore Kumar S, CHRO Munish Vasudeva, Chief Commercial Officer C Satish, Vedanta CSR Head Anupam Nidhi, and Zawar Mines IBU CEO Anshul Khandelwal.
World-Class Facilities for Grassroots Development
The Zinc Football Girls Academy is a first-of-its-kind, fully residential girls football academy in Zawar equipped with world-class facilities and India’s first tech-driven football training program featuring the unique F-Cube technology. This initiative aims not only to contribute to the growth of Indian football but also to use the power of the world’s most popular sport for the social upliftment of women, children, and communities.
As part of the program, Hindustan Zinc has partnered with AIFF, which will act as the strategic and technical partner for the residential girls academy. Under the partnership, AIFF will provide operational guidelines, technical support, share best practices, assist in capacity building for coaches and scouts, and engage in knowledge-sharing.
Empowering Girls Through Sport
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, “The launch of a major residential football academy for girls clearly reflects Hindustan Zinc’s commitment to women empowerment. Our goal is to offer holistic development opportunities to help young girls become confident and capable leaders of tomorrow. This academy is not just about nurturing football talent, but about shaping confident, strong youth for the future.”
AIFF Lauds Strategic Partnership
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey expressed his delight over the launch, saying, “We are pleased to partner with Hindustan Zinc for the Zinc Football Girls Academy. I believe this will help not just in Rajasthan but in the development of football across the country. This partnership is timely as AIFF’s CRS portal has recorded a 232% rise in registration of women players, and our senior women’s national team has qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 to be held in Australia. This initiative is truly significant.”
Leave a Comment