In a country where academic excellence has long been considered the ultimate goal, sports and cultural activities are more often than not relegated to the backseat. Non-availability of quality infrastructure pushes them further down the priority list.
For us at HZL, support for sports and culture have been as integral to our CSR as have been all the other interventions.
Zinc Football Academy
HZL believes that India has enormous sporting talent that is hidden in rural and tribal areas. They are largely unexplored and need the right guidance, support and opportunities. To make this possible HZL is setting up a state-of-the-art Football Academy that will provide a holistic platform for young and talented footballers from Rajasthan. Giving equal opportunities for both girls and boys, this fully residential academy tied up with 'The Football Link', - a technology based football organisation with professional expertise in setting up large scale grassroots football initiatives. The goal is to reach out to more than 60,000 children in the next 5 years, across 100 villages of Rajasthan, with a special focus on tribal areas.
Reporting Period Highlights
58 Community Football Centres
across HZL communities (including 4 all-girls centres), providing regular football coaching to nearly
2,000 children |
23
Talent Scouting Camps held
in 5 districts of Rajasthan |
Outreach to over
3,500 children
across Rajasthan, 56 children shortlisted
for the residential academy |
Trained to Perform
Rigorous training at the HZL Football Academy saw our Girls Team represent Udaipur District at the Rajasthan State Senior Women's Football Championship 2018, after just 4 months of playing the sport!
Sixteen girls, of ages 8 to 14 years old, played against experienced teams and powered through to the semi-finals, returning with a trophy for 3rd place in their first year of participation.
Culture
The Udaipur World Music Festival conceptualised by the cultural organisation SEHER and supported by HZL, has become a matter of cultural pride in the city of Udaipur. This year the festival hosted over 200 musicians from 17 countries over 3 thrilling days. Over 50,000 people enjoyed these concerts, including many who had specially travelled to Udaipur for the Music Festival.
We strongly value the conservation of our heritage and under the Swachh Iconic Places initiative, HZL has been appointed as the CSR partner for the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Our vision for this initiative is to convert the Dargah into a future-ready, iconic site. This includes the development of a state-of-the-art interpretation centre which will orient the visitor to the long term vision for the Dargah. During this period, we completed work on the detailed plans for work to be undertaken during Phase 1, and we are now identifying suitable implementing agencies.
Some of the other cultural activities supported by HZL are the Rajasthan Heritage Week, Lake Festival, Rajasthan Diwas, Smritiyaan, Srajan and more.
