New Delhi, August 25: Zinc Football Academy’s (Rajasthan) emerging talent Sonam Ghosh has been selected for the India U17 National Team for the upcoming two-match friendly against Uzbekistan on August 27 and 30 in Tashkent.

The 15-year-old has been one of the key figures in a historic season for Zinc Football Academy’s girls’ programme. Her performances between the posts played an important role in the team winning the Rajasthan State Senior Women’s League, while she also helped the side reach the semi-finals of the inaugural AIFF U-17 Women’s Youth League.

Sonam’s progress has also been reflected in her selection for two national camps, highlighting her growing stature and consistency as a young goalkeeper. Originally from Arambagh in West Bengal, she comes from a modest family background. Her father, who works as a cable operator, has continued to support her football ambitions after an injury brought his own playing career to an early end.

Sonam was among the first group of players recruited for Zinc Football Academy’s girls’ residential programme, which was launched in 2025. Within its first year, the programme has already produced a series of impressive results, with the team lifting the Rajasthan Senior Women’s League, Doon Cup, Under-15 Asmita Football League and DAV U-19 Nationals titles.

The academy’s strong run continued in the AIFF U-17 Women’s Youth League, where the team finished among the country’s top four. Sonam’s national recognition now adds another milestone to the rapid development of the girls’ programme.

The achievements underline Hindustan Zinc’s efforts to develop women’s football through its Zinc Football initiative, with a particular focus on providing opportunities to young players from rural and underserved backgrounds.

Established in 2018, Zinc Football Academy is an AIFF 3-star rated academy and has steadily contributed players to India’s age-group teams. Alongside Sonam’s progress, Rajrup Sarkar, Sahil Poonia, Prem Hansdak and Mohammed Kaif have also earned India representation, further strengthening the academy’s record of producing young talent.

In 2025, Hindustan Zinc expanded its football programme by launching what it describes as India’s first residential football academy for girls, beginning with 20 players from rural communities. The initiative aims to provide young female footballers with structured training and a pathway towards higher-level competition.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company and the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has also built a wider community development programme around education, vocational skills, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, healthcare and environmental initiatives. Its social programmes currently extend across more than 4,100 villages and are estimated to benefit over 2.6 million people.

The company’s involvement in sport stretches back nearly four decades. Its association with football began with the Zawar football stadium in 1976, which continues to host annual National Football Tournaments. Its grassroots sporting initiatives have since expanded to disciplines including athletics, kabaddi and volleyball.

Hindustan Zinc’s sporting portfolio also includes the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon, an event that has helped raise Udaipur’s profile on the international running circuit. Across its sports initiatives, the company says it has reached nearly 30,000 people, reflecting its broader focus on using sport as a platform for talent development and community engagement.