- India defeated Brunei 13-0 and Turkmenistan 1-0 in the first two matches in Thailand
Udaipur : Hindustan Zinc’s (NSE: HINDZINC) Zinc Football Academy, which has been at the forefront of nurturing footballing talent for India, is making headlines once again as its Rajasthan-born defender Mohammed Kaif delivered two back-to-back standout performances at the AFC Under-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Thailand. Kaif not only helped India secure a clean sheet in the first two matches but also scored a stunning goal in India’s opening match versus Brunei.
16-year-old defender Mohammed Kaif, who has been nurtured by Zinc Football Academy since 2018, is playing his third international tournament for the country, marking a significant milestone for Rajasthan Football after more than four decades of waiting to see a local boy represent India at the international stage.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Zinc Football Academy striker Prem Hansdak is making a strong comeback to the India team after recovering from a tough hamstring injury that sidelined him from the SAFF Cup in Bhutan last month. Born in Jharkhand to a farmer’s family, Prem has shown remarkable grit and determination to bounce back within a month and is eager to make his mark in India’s upcoming matches.
Delighted with the milestones, Aakash Narula, Chief Executive Officer, Vedanta Zinc Football and Sports Foundation, expressed: “This is an extraordinary achievement for all of us at Hindustan Zinc and Zinc Football Academy. Kaif has already become a national hero, having played a pivotal role in India’s triumph at the SAFF Cup, and now starts this tournament on a high. We are equally excited to see Prem back in the national jersey. Our sole focus remains on nurturing such young talents at the grassroots and youth level to positively impact both Rajasthan and Indian Football.”
India has been placed in Group D, alongside host Thailand, Brunei and Turkmenistan. After a commanding 13-0 victory over Brunei and 1-0 hard-fought win versus Turkmenistan, the Blue Colts will now face host Thailand on October 27.
Zinc Football Academy, a flagship initiative of Hindustan Zinc, has consistently produced exciting talents for the national team. In addition to Mohammed Kaif and Prem Hansdak, Sahil Poonia and Ashish Mayla have already represented India on the international stage. This incredible achievement brings to light the Zawar-based Academy’s commitment to excellence from the grassroots level and further consolidates its role in the betterment of Rajasthan as well as Indian Football.
Hindustan Zinc has promoted sports for nearly five decades, building the Zawar football stadium in 1976 and hosting annual national tournaments since then. The company’s legacy extends to supporting athletes who have earned international accolades, reflecting.
Hindustan Zinc’s commitment to community development extends beyond this with focus on areas like education, healthcare, and sustainable livelihoods. The company has positively impacted nearly 2 million people across 3,700 villages in Rajasthan, with a focus on empowering women and youth. Initiatives like Shiksha Sambal and Unchi Udaan provide academic support and engineering career preparation for underprivileged students, while health camps and mobile units deliver essential healthcare to rural communities.
Programs such as Sakhi and Samadhan promote sustainable livelihoods, offering skill development and modern agricultural techniques to rural women and farmers. Hindustan Zinc’s holistic approach ranks it among India’s top 10 CSR contributors, driving education, health, and women empowerment across Rajasthan.
