The programme has already produced players such as Mohammad Kaif and Sahil Poonia, who have represented India on the international stage

Hindustan Zinc (HZL) has unveiled that its sports development initiatives have benefitted nearly 30,000 individuals across India, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to grassroots talent and community empowerment.

With a legacy of nearly five decades at Udaipur’s Zawar Stadium, HZL has consistently positioned sports as a platform for rural youth to pursue scholarships, professional careers, and related opportunities. Its flagship Zinc Football Academy, a fully residential facility at Zawar, holds a three-star accreditation from the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) and was named ‘Sports Academy of the Year’ at the Sport India Awards 2024. This year, in partnership with AIFF, the company also introduced the Zinc Football Girls Academy India’s first residential football academy for girls tarting with an inaugural batch of 20 under-15 players.

The programme has already produced players such as Mohammad Kaif and Sahil Poonia, who have represented India on the international stage. Beyond training, athletes are also engaged in community outreach through Vedanta’s Nand Ghar initiative. Expanding its sporting footprint, HZL introduced the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon in Udaipur in 2024, drawing over 5,000 participants from around the world. Branded as ‘India’s Most Beautiful Marathon’, the event combined inclusivity and social impact through initiatives like the Race with Champions for specially abled children and the #RunForZeroHunger campaign. Its second edition is scheduled for September 21, 2025.

“Initiatives like the Zinc Football Girls Academy and the Udaipur marathon go beyond nurturing athletes they help build healthier, more inclusive communities,” said Arun Misra, CEO & Whole-Time Director, HZL.

In FY25 alone, the company supported 12,000 rural youth in cricket, kabaddi, handball, and athletics. More broadly, HZL’s social programmes have touched 23 lakh people across 2,300 villages, alongside investments in education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and environmental sustainability.