The day featured a series of structured football activities designed to inspire grassroots participation. By bringing together young stars from the academy—including members of the recently established girls' residential program—with local youth, the initiative provided a platform for community members to experience professional-level training environments and interact with aspiring athletes.
Building Momentum for the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon
Beyond the football pitch, the festivities served as the official countdown to the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon, which is set to take place in September 2026. This major event has become a cornerstone of the region's sporting calendar, helping to establish Udaipur as a significant destination on the global fitness map.
Amarendu Prakash, Chief Executive Officer of
A Legacy of Grassroots Development
Since its founding in 2018, the AIFF 3-star rated Zinc Football Academy has become a key contributor to the national talent pool. The academy has successfully produced several players for India's age-group teams, including Sahil Poonia, Prem Hansdak, Mohammed Kaif, and Rajrup Sarkar. The institution further expanded its reach in 2025 by launching India's first residential football academy specifically for girls, welcoming an inaugural cohort of 20 students from rural backgrounds.
Hindustan Zinc’s commitment to sports dates back nearly 50 years, beginning with the construction of the Zawar Stadium in 1976. Today, the company’s sporting footprint extends across various disciplines, including kabaddi, volleyball, and athletics. These combined efforts have impacted approximately 30,000 lives, reinforcing the company's broader mission of holistic community development across more than 4,100 villages.
