In a major step towards promoting gender equality and nurturing sporting talent at the grassroots level, Hindustan Zinc Limited has introduced a dedicated residential football academy for girls in Zawar, near Udaipur, Rajasthan. This initiative, launched in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), is part of Hindustan Zinc’s broader commitment to community development and social inclusion through sports.
The new Zinc Football Girls Academy will focus on training girls under the age of 15, combining formal education with structured sports coaching. Backed by AIFF’s technical expertise, the academy aims to build a pathway for young female footballers across the country to develop their skills and pursue a professional career in the sport.
This residential program begins with an initial cohort of 20 girls, selected from states including Rajasthan, Gujarat, West Bengal, Haryana, and Jharkhand. Plans are in place to expand capacity to 60 players over the next 12 to 18 months.
At the heart of the academy is a focus on high-quality training. Facilities include FIFA-certified turf pitches, a natural grass ground for 7-a-side games, and multi-sport areas for additional physical development. Coaching is led by licensed professionals, ensuring players receive guidance across technical, physical, and mental aspects of the game.
A key feature of the academy is its use of F-Cube, an advanced training and evaluation system that provides data-driven insights into player progress. This system supports skill development, physical fitness, and mental conditioning, with regular monitoring to help tailor individual training plans.
Speaking on the launch, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc, said “This academy represents our continued effort to empower young girls and give them the tools they need to succeed, both on and off the field. It’s not only about creating athletes but also confident individuals prepared to take on leadership roles.”
Kalyan Chaubey, President of AIFF, noted the significance of the collaboration “This initiative comes at a crucial time for Indian women’s football, especially with rising participation levels and international achievements. We are proud to support a program that strengthens grassroots development and opens new doors for girls in the sport.”
Hindustan Zinc has long been involved in sports development, with a history of hosting national tournaments and supporting athletes across disciplines such as athletics, kabaddi, and volleyball. The company also organizes the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon, encouraging fitness and putting Udaipur on the international running calendar.
This academy is a continuation of Hindustan Zinc’s long-standing investment in sport as a tool for community upliftment. Nearly 30,000 individuals have been positively impacted by its sports initiatives, reinforcing the company’s vision for inclusive growth and social transformation. To help drive this new venture, Hindustan Zinc has teamed up with The Football Link, a leading sports development group known for its work in grassroots football.
Hindustan Zinc Limited, a part of the Vedanta Group, is the world’s largest integrated producer of zinc and ranks among the top five silver producers globally. The company supplies to over 40 countries and holds a dominant share of the Indian primary zinc market.
Recognized globally for its sustainable practices, Hindustan Zinc has received accolades for its environmental initiatives, including the launch of EcoZen, Asia’s first low-carbon zinc product. The company is certified water-positive and has set a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. Through a range of community-focused programs, it has touched the lives of over 2.3 million people across India.
