- The Zawar-based Academy’s Mohammed Kaif and Prem Hansdak rewarded with national call-ups, to play two friendly matches in Indonesia
Udaipur, 20 August 2024: Zinc Football Academy, a CSR initiative of Hindustan Zinc, has produced two more talented players for the country. Sixteen-year-olds Mohammed Kaif and Prem Hansdak from the Zawar-based academy have been selected for the India Under-17 squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Indonesia in Bali.
Centre-back Mohammed Kaif, born in Makrana, Rajasthan, to a humble family passionate about football, has previously represented India at the SAFF Under-16 Championship in 2023. He made history as the first player from Rajasthan in over 40 years to don the national jersey. Kaif is eager to use the upcoming friendlies as a platform to secure his spot in the national team for the SAFF Under-17 Championship, scheduled for September.
Striker Prem Hansdak, who had an outstanding campaign in the AIFF Under-17 Youth League last season, scoring 19 goals in just 12 matches, is excited for his international debut. Born to a farmer in Jharkhand and raised in West Bengal, Prem is determined to continue his scoring streak on the international stage.
The two friendlies are scheduled on August 25th and 27th in Bali, Indonesia.
Before Kaif and Prem, Zinc Football Academy had already seen success with goalkeeper Sahil Poonia and forward Ashish Mayla, who have both represented the country. Sahil was later signed by top Indian football club Bengaluru FC.
Zinc Football is a CSR initiative of Hindustan Zinc to usher in a footballing revolution in Rajasthan. It is a one-of-its-kind grassroots and youth development programme using football as a tool for social and community development and ensuring young kids have a platform to express themselves through football.
ABOUT ZINC FOOTBALL:
Zinc Football, a CSR initiative of Hindustan Zinc Limited, is a one-of-its-kind grassroots and youth football development program. At the core of Zinc Football is a full-fledged residential academy, rated Elite 3-star by All India Football Federation, at Zawar, Udaipur. The Academy is equipped with world-class facilities and the country’s first-ever ‘technology-hinged football training’ – the unique F-Cube technology. In addition, Zinc Football also has an outreach programme to impart football coaching to over 350 passionate boys and girls by fully skilled football trainers through community football centres – Zinc Football Schools. The initiative aims to contribute to the development of Indian Football while leveraging on the power of the world’s most loved sport to impact lives and ensure social upliftment of women, children and people.
About Hindustan Zinc Limited
Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 and NSE: HINDZINC), a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and the third-largest silver producer. The company supplies to more than 40 countries and holds a market share of about 75% of the primary zinc market in India. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the second consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. The company also launched EcoZen, Asia’s first low carbon ‘green’ zinc brand. Produced using renewable energy, EcoZen has a carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced, about 75% lower than the global average. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 2.41 times Water-Positive company and is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Transforming the lives of 1.9 million people through its focused social welfare initiatives, Hindustan Zinc is among the Top 10 CSR companies in India. As an energy transition metals company, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for a sustainable future.
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