2023: 15-year-old Zinc Football Academy player Mohammed Kaif has been handpicked to represent India Under-16 Football team at the upcoming SAFF Under-16 Championship to be played in September in Bhutan.
Zinc Football Academy, a CSR initiative of Hindustan Zinc, has produced some exciting talents for the national team so far. Prior to Mohammed Kaif, Sahil Poonia and Ashish Mayla have already represented India at the international stage with the former making his debut in the same SAFF Championship last year. This incredible achievement brings to light the Zawar-based Academy’s commitment to excellence at the grassroots level and further consolidates its role in the betterment of Rajasthan as well as Indian Football.
On this momentous occasion, Arun Misra, CEO – Hindustan Zinc, expressed: “We are overjoyed by the selection of Kaif in the India U-16 squad. I wish him all the best for the SAFF Championship. This recognition of our unwavering commitment to nurturing young talents has inspired us as a team to push our boundaries and work even harder for the betterment of football in our country.”
Born in Makrana, Rajasthan, Mohammed Kaif joined Zinc Football Academy back in 2018. Kaif was called up to the national camp in Srinagar last month. After over a month of training under Indian Under-16 Team head coach Ishfaq Ahmed, the Zinc Football Academy player was named in the final list of 23 names. Kaif’s father, Mohammed Sayeed, a former footballer himself, cried tears of joy knowing his son will be wearing his dream national shirt in the coming month.
Zinc Football is a CSR initiative of Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc to usher in a footballing revolution in Rajasthan. It is a one-of-its-kind grassroots development programme using football as a tool for social and community development and ensuring young kids have a platform to express themselves through football.