Udaipur, March 18 (NationPress) The Zinc Football Academy (ZFA) has successfully progressed to the Final Round of the AIFF Under-18 Elite League 2025–26 following a remarkable performance in the Zonal Round, significantly aided by local talents from Zawar.

ZFA's zonal round campaign has been nothing short of impressive, achieving 11 victories out of 14 matches, along with two draws and only one defeat. This outstanding record has ensured their place in the Final Round. Particularly noteworthy is the Academy's home performance, where they have remained unbeaten in all seven home matches, scoring 37 goals and conceding none. The zonal round, which commenced in November 2025, is structured in a home-and-away format, with each team competing against the others twice.

Himesh Meena from Zawar has emerged as a crucial player, joining the Academy two years prior. After enduring a significant injury during last season's Final Round of the national youth league, which kept him out for nearly four months, he has made a remarkable comeback. Primarily playing as a forward while also assisting in midfield, he has become indispensable, netting critical goals and creating opportunities for his teammates.

Two other budding stars from Zawar, Ritik Meena and Sahil Meena, have also made impressive strides this season by debuting in the AIFF Under-18 Elite League Zonal Round. Ritik, a forward, and Sahil, a defender, both initiated their football journey through the Zinc Football Community Schools programme and have thrived within the Academy's developmental framework.

Coming from humble beginnings, these three young athletes have brought pride to their families and the local football community in Zawar. Their growth underscores the positive impact of the Zinc Football program, which actively nurtures local talent and offers opportunities for aspiring players through their passion for the sport. Furthermore, Zawar continues to cultivate more talent within the Academy’s senior team and the Under-15 girls' team.

Since its establishment in 2018, the Zinc Football Academy, recognized as an AIFF 3-star-rated Academy, has consistently developed players for India's age-group teams, enriching the nation's talent reservoir. Following in the footsteps of previous stars like Sahil Poonia, Mohammed Kaif, and Prem Hansdak, who have represented the national squad, the recent performances of goalkeeper Rajrup Sarkar with the India Under-17 National team signify another significant achievement in the Academy's commitment to advancing Indian football. Recently, the organization inaugurated India’s very first residential football academy for girls, welcoming an initial group of 20 girls from rural backgrounds.