Udaipur : Hindustan Zinc Limited’s flagship sports initiative, Zinc Football Academy, organised a special programme at the historic Zawar Stadium in Rajasthan on National Sports Day. More than 100 children from nearby villages participated alongside academy players in activities celebrating sports, fitness and team spirit.
Zinc Football Academy works to identify sporting talent from rural areas, provide quality training and help young players access competitive football. The academy offers young athletes opportunities to develop through modern sports facilities and professional coaching.
As part of the National Sports Day programme, academy players and children from nearby villages took part in various football activities. Players from the academy’s residential girls’ football team also participated. Through sporting activities and interaction, the children were encouraged to take an interest in football while healthy competition and sportsmanship were promoted.
The National Sports Day event also marked the beginning of the countdown to the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon, scheduled for September 6. The marathon is playing an important role in establishing Udaipur as a prominent fitness destination at the national and international level. Together, Zinc Football Academy and the marathon are promoting health and sporting talent in Rajasthan.
Hindustan Zinc CEO Amarendu Prakash said National Sports Day reminds people that sports are a powerful medium to bring positive change in the lives of young people and build an inclusive society. He said the company’s objective is not only to train athletes but also to make sports accessible to everyone.
He added that bringing Zinc Football Academy players and rural children together, along with preparations for the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon, is helping strengthen a culture of health, fitness and opportunities.
Established in 2018, Zinc Football Academy has received a 3-Star rating from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and has consistently developed talented players for Indian age-group football teams. Academy players Rajrup Sarkar, Sahil Poonia, Prem Hansdak and Mohammad Kaif have represented India.
In 2025, Hindustan Zinc also launched the country’s first residential girls’ football academy with 20 girls from rural areas.
A Vedanta Group company and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, Hindustan Zinc is working towards the overall development of communities through social development programmes in education, skill development, women’s empowerment, healthcare, livelihoods and environmental protection.
Through its reach across more than 4,100 villages, the company is bringing positive change to the lives of more than 2.6 million people. Hindustan Zinc has been promoting sports for nearly four decades. Its football stadium in Zawar, established in 1976, continues to host national football competitions.
Besides football, the company is also encouraging rural talent in athletics, kabaddi and volleyball. Its sports initiatives have so far impacted around 30,000 people, while the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon has given Udaipur a new identity on the global running map.
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