Udaipur : Hindustan Zinc, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, saw its Zinc Football Academy represent DFA Udaipur to clinch the Under-16 Asmita League Championship, held in Rajsamand, by defeating DFA Jhunjhunu 3-1 in the final match. Out of DFA Udaipur’s 18-member winning squad, 10 players hailed from the Zinc Football Academy, while two players came from the Zinc Football Community School.
The team delivered consistently strong performances across every stage of the tournament, displaying an aggressive style of play. Midfielder Sakshi stepped up with a stellar performance in the final, netting two goals, while Minu scored the third goal to seal the victory.
Pratigya was named the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ of the tournament for her brilliant shot-stopping display throughout. The goalkeeper even scored a goal.
Established in 2017, Zinc Football Academy has been a game-changer in nurturing grassroots football talent from rural India. Based in Zawar, the AIFF-accredited 3-star academy has trained over 5,000 young footballers since its inception. The institution is also home to India’s largest residential football academy, launched in 2025 with the first batch having 20 girls on full scholarship, offering a premier training environment dedicated to excellence. Beyond the pitch, the academy champions a holistic approach to growth, integrating elite athletic coaching with rigorous academic support and comprehensive personality development programs.
DFA Udaipur began their campaign in the Under-16 Asmita Football League with a comfortable 5-0 victory over DFA Jodhpur, with goals scored by Pratigya, Minu Kumari Meena, Sakshi, Divya, and Geet Meena. Carrying this momentum forward, the team defeated DFA Nagaur 3-0 in the semi-finals. In this match, Anandi Gawariya, Asha Meena, and Minu found the back of the net. The 3-1 win in the final summed up a perfect campaign for DFA Udaipur and Zinc Football Academy.
Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, continues to advance its vision of holistic community development through various social interventions and community development initiatives, nurturing education, building skills, enabling sustainable livelihoods, empowering women, strengthening healthcare, and preserving the environment. With a footprint that spans over 4,100 villages, Hindustan Zinc is positively transforming the lives of more than 2.6 million people and remains deeply committed to fostering inclusive growth and long-term social impact.
Supported by The Football Link as the Strategy and Implementation Partner, the Academy highlights Hindustan Zinc’s commitment to grassroots excellence and the betterment of both Rajasthan and Indian football. It has also fostered the sport for nearly five decades, starting with its football stadium at Zawar in 1976, which continues to host annual National Football Tournaments. Extending beyond football to athletics, kabaddi and volleyball, the company nurtures talent at the grassroots level. Its Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon has put Udaipur on the global running map.
