In the quiet mining town of Zawar, Rajasthan, something extraordinary is taking shape — a revolution written not with slogans, but with football boots, grit and unheard-of opportunity.
September 2025 marked a historic moment for Indian sports as Zinc Football Girls Academy, the country’s first fully residential football academy dedicated exclusively to girls, opened its doors to its inaugural batch.
In a state better known for folk dance than football, and in a country where young girls are too often told “serious sport isn’t for you”, this academy is rewriting the rules — one girl at a time.
Twenty Girls. Four States. One Dream.
Just one month since launch, the academy has become home to 20 trailblazing girls aged 13–16.
13 from Rajasthan
Others from Jharkhand, Haryana and West Bengal
More than half from families earning under ₹15,000/month
For many of them, football was not even a distant dream — until now.
Here at Zawar, everything is free:
◆ World-class coaching
◆ English-medium CBSE schooling
◆ Nutritious meals
◆ Modern hostel stay
◆ Kits, equipment & medical support
No fees. No barriers. No excuses.
The model follows the wildly successful Zinc Football Boys Academy, whose alumni now play for Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant and several elite clubs.
Training Like Professionals From Day One
The girls train on the same pristine natural and artificial turfs as the boys.
They use F-Cube – advanced technology that tracks their sprints, passes, movement and heart rate to design personalised performance plans.
But the real transformation is beyond the field.
Some had never worn proper football shoes.
Many had never played a structured match.
A few heard the familiar barrier: “Log kya kahenge?”
Yet in just weeks, they are executing step-overs, building stamina, and more importantly, discovering their inner power.
“This Academy Will Create Leaders, Not Just Footballers”
Hindustan Zinc Ltd Chairperson Priya Agarwal Hebbar said:
“Our commitment to empowering women is reflected in every step — including this first-of-its-kind residential football academy for girls. This initiative is not just about developing athletes but shaping confident, resilient leaders of tomorrow.”
The academy’s all-women support system is equally inspiring — including a dedicated female coach from Kerala who moved to Zawar and has become a powerful role model.
A Five-Year Roadmap to National & International Arenas
With AIFF recognition and a 3-star rating, the girls are already on India’s official scouting radar.
The academy’s roadmap (2025–2030) includes:
◆ Participation in national tournaments
◆ Khelo India exposure
◆ IKF scouting
◆ Progressive training to reach elite competitive tiers
As the academy scales to 60, then 100 girls, the goal is clear — help them rise to Asia Cup and even World Cup levels.
The Beginning of a Revolution
These girls are not just learning football.
They are learning:
They belong on the biggest stages
Their dreams are valid
Their country believes in their potential
A quiet revolution has begun in Zawar.
And the most exciting part?
This is only Month One.
