ZINC FOOTBALL ACADEMY’S MOHAMMED KAIF SHINES BRIGHT AS INDIA WINS THE SAFF UNDER-17 CUP IN BHUTAN
Rajasthan’s rising star Mohammed Kaif shines as India keeps three clean sheets in four matches across the tournament
Udaipur : Hindustan Zinc's (NSE: HINDZINC) Zinc Football Academy, which has been at the forefront of nurturing footballing talent for India, added another feather to its cap as its Rajasthan-based player Mohammed Kaif played an instrumental role in India's winning campaign at the SAFF Under-17 Championship 2024. Having associated with Zinc Football Academy since 2018, Mohammed Kaif stands tall as an inspiration for lakhs of rural and tribal talent who dream to achieve big in football.
In the recently concluded tournament in Bhutan, Kaif anchored India’s defense with clinical performances, securing three clean sheets in four matches and helping India dominate the competition. India started by defeating Bangladesh 1-0, followed by a convincing 3-0 triumph over the Maldives. In the final match between India and Bangladesh, India secured a flawless 2-0 victory, with Kaif scoring the crucial opening goal for his country. India's consistent run throughout the tournament saw them successfully defending the coveted title.
The Zawar-based Academy’s Rajasthan-born star also donned the captain’s armband in the second match against Maldives, marking a significant highlight in the career of the 16-year-old. Having already lifted the 2023 SAFF Under-16 Championship last year, Kaif has now added the shining Under-17 SAFF Championship trophy to his growing list of achievements.
On this joyous occasion, Arun Misra, CEO – Hindustan Zinc, said: “We are overjoyed by Kaif’s performance for the India Under-17 team. It is a very proud moment for us and all of Rajasthan. Kaif’s goal in the final and his resolute defending throughout the tournament reflect the emergence of a very talented star. At Zinc Football, we will continue to nurture young talents and Kaif’s success has definitely inspired us as a team to push our boundaries and work even harder for the betterment of football in our country.”
Aakash Narula, CEO - Vedanta Zinc Football & Sports Foundation, was equally delighted with the achievement. He said: “We are really proud of Kaif. The hard work that goes into our training and planning to cultivate such extraordinary talents is driven by our vision to make a positive impact at the grassroots and youth levels. For over 40 years, Rajasthan didn’t see any player represent India, and now we have Kaif, who has worn the national colours in consecutive years and is shining bright. We are thrilled with the progress and success of our Zinc Football project so far.”
Zinc Football Academy, a flagship initiative of Hindustan Zinc, has consistently produced exciting talents for the national team. In addition to Mohammed Kaif, 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.
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