Udaipur, March 25, 2026 (Udaipur Kiran) — Mohammed Kaif, trained at the Zinc Football Academy, has been selected in India’s Under-20 national team for the upcoming SAFF U-20 Championship 2026 to be held in Maldives.
India has been placed in Group B and will begin its campaign against Pakistan on March 26, followed by a match against Bangladesh on March 28. Group A comprises host Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on April 1, while the final will be played on April 3.
Hailing from Makrana in Rajasthan, Kaif enters the tournament as a three-time SAFF champion, having won titles at the Under-16 (2023), Under-17 (2024), and Under-19 (2025) levels. He will now aim to secure his fourth SAFF title with the national team.
Born in 2008, the tall defender was part of the first batch of the Zinc Football Academy, established in 2018 at Zawar. Within a few years, he became the first player from Rajasthan in over four decades to represent India at the international level, achieving this milestone in 2023.
Following his development at the academy and international debut, Kaif was signed in early 2025 by Indian Super League club Hyderabad FC, now known as Sporting Club Delhi. He has since represented Diamond Harbour FC and South United FC, continuing his steady rise in Indian football.
His selection reflects the academy’s continued commitment to nurturing young talent and creating pathways for players to compete at the highest levels.
Since its inception, the AIFF 3-star rated Zinc Football Academy has consistently produced players for India’s age-group teams. Along with Kaif, players like Sahil Poonia and Prem Hansda have represented the national side, while Under-17 goalkeeper Rajarup Sarkar has also delivered notable performances.
In addition to football, Hindustan Zinc Limited has been supporting sports development for nearly four decades, contributing to grassroots talent in athletics, kabaddi, and volleyball. Its sports initiatives have positively impacted around 30,000 lives.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
