Wish I had infrastructure & facilities like this, says Sunil Chhetri on visit to Zinc Football

The Indian national team skipper was speaking at an event in Udaipur, Rajasthan earlier today.

Indian National Football Team Captain and one of the most well-known faces of Indian Football Sunil Chhetri visited the Zinc Football Academy in Zawar, Udaipur on Saturday. The Asian Icon engaged in an interactive session with the young footballers of Zinc Football, a Hindustan Zinc initiative, and was delighted to see the world-class infrastructure in Zawar, further sharing that initiatives like this would lead Rajasthan and Indian Football to greater heights in the future.

With the belief that timely intervention of technology and data-driven analysis can help grassroots football in the country and subsequently take Indian football to the next level, Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, initiated the Zinc Football programme as part of their social investment programme. At the core of the programme is a full-fledged residential academy with 40 of the best under-15 footballers who have been scouted from over 5000 children.

Speaking on his visit, Sunil Chhetri said, "I have seen a football academy for the first time in Rajasthan and I am really very happy to see the state-of-the-art infrastructure here. Initiatives like Zinc Football, with the kind of world-class infrastructure that is there, will help uplift the cause of Indian football in the coming years. I wish I had access to infrastructure and facilities like this while growing up. With the right guidance, I am sure the kids here can go a long way not only within Rajasthan but at the national level as well."

The excitement among the young footballers of Zinc Football was palpable as they got to see their icon from up close and interact with him. Sunil Chhetri emphasized upon the various facets that goes into making of a top professional footballer and shared his experiences with the visibly thrilled kids. Excitement reached fever pitch when Sunil took to the field and engaged with the kids for a short game.

President of Vedanta Football, Annanya Agarwal said, “We couldn’t have been happier to host Indian football’s biggest superstar, Sunil Chhetri. His achievements and what he has done on the pitch is there for everyone to see, and it was extremely gratifying to see him interact with our young footballers and inspire them to reach greater heights.  As a group, Vedanta is focussed on building a development model for grassroots football in the country and identify and cultivate footballing talent, roping in icons such as Sunil Chhetri in the process.”

Swayam Saurabh, Chief Financial Officer, Hindustan Zinc Ltd., said, “At Hindustan Zinc, we are committed to Zinc Football as it aims to usher in a footballing revolution in the state of Rajasthan. I am glad that our kids got a chance to interact with their idol which I am sure will help them going forward."