Jaipur: Zinc Football Academy (ZFA) has etched its name in history by clinching the championship of the Rajasthan League Senior Women's A Division 2025-26. In a commanding performance, the girls from the Zawar-based academy defeated Real Jaipur FC 8-0 in their final league match to secure their maiden state title and earn a historic promotion to the Indian Women's League 2 (IWL-2).
This is the inaugural year for the girls' academy at Zinc Football, and this landmark victory completes a monumental double for ZFA this season, following the men's team's triumph in the Rajasthan League Senior Men's A-Division. Remarkably, mirroring the boys' academy's success, the girls achieved this feat with the youngest squad in the tournament, boasting an average age of just 15 years and 8 months.
The highly competitive two-legged tournament, organized by the Rajasthan Football Association, featured five of the state's top teams: Real Jaipur FC, Magan Singh Rajvi FA, Jaipur City FC, Royal FC Jaipur, and Zinc Football Academy. The Zinc Football girls showcased their prowess throughout the league, accumulating 21 points from 8 matches with 7 wins and a single loss. They found the net 24 times while conceding only 5 goals across their 8 fixtures. The final matchday, a must-win encounter against Real Jaipur FC, highlighted the maturity and grit of the squad. Midfielder Antra Dolui spearheaded the attack with a magnificent hat-trick (3', 20', 35'), while winger Dangi Mardi scored a brilliant brace (15', 36'). Clinical finishes from Priyanka (27'), Joha (46'), and Bindiya Kumari Meena (57') sealed the emphatic 8-0 victory.
A defining highlight of the championship run was the stellar performance of local home-grown talents from Zawar. Local stars including Geet Meena, Bindiya Kumari Meena, Manisha Patel, and Savita Kalbeliya played pivotal roles throughout the season, proving that rural India possesses world-class sporting potential when given the right platform.
Launched just a year ago in 2025, the Zinc Football Girls Academy has enjoyed a meteoric, trophy-laden debut year. Prior to this historic state title, the girls had already captured the Doon Cup, the Asmita League Cup, and the DAV U-19 Nationals, making this their fourth major silverware in less than 12 months.
"I congratulate Zinc Football Girls Academy on a fantastic title win. I am truly delighted to see the youngest squad in the league, from the state-of-the-art Academy in Udaipur, standing tallest, competing fiercely against top teams from Rajasthan, and winning the senior women's league. Without a doubt, these talented youngsters represent the bright future of football in Rajasthan and across India. We wish them all the best," commented Dilip Singh Shekhawat, Secretary of the Rajasthan Football Association and Joint Secretary of the Rajasthan Olympics Association.
Established in 2017, Zinc Football Academy, part of the Vedanta Zinc Football and Sports Foundation, is a social initiative of Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) and has been a game-changer in nurturing grassroots football talent from rural India. Based in Zawar, the AIFF-accredited 3-star academy has trained over 5,000 young footballers since its inception. The institution is also home to India's largest residential football academy for girls, offering a premier training environment dedicated to excellence. Beyond the pitch, the academy champions a holistic approach to growth, integrating elite athletic coaching with rigorous academic support and comprehensive personality development programs.
With a sharp focus on excellence and holistic development, the academy has consistently produced promising players for the national stage. Notable players like Mohammed Kaif, Prem Hansdak, Sahil Poonia, and Rajrup Sarkar have already donned the Indian jersey, making their mark in international football.
Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company and the world's largest integrated zinc producer, continues to advance its vision of holistic community development through various social interventions and community development initiatives, nurturing education, building skills, enabling sustainable livelihoods, empowering women, strengthening healthcare, and preserving the environment. With a footprint that spans over 4,400 villages, Hindustan Zinc is positively transforming the lives of more than 2.6 million people and remains deeply committed to fostering inclusive growth and long-term social impact.
Supported by The Football Link as the Strategy and Implementation Partner, the Academy highlights Hindustan Zinc's commitment to grassroots excellence and the betterment of both Rajasthan and Indian football. It has also fostered the sport for nearly five decades, starting with its football stadium at Zawar in 1976, which continues to host annual National Football Tournaments. Extending beyond football to athletics, kabaddi, and volleyball, the company nurtures talent at the grassroots level. Its Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon has put Udaipur on the global running map.
