Sahil Poonia created history for Zinc Football Academy recently, when he became the first player from the institution to represent India at international level. To celebrate his success, the academy invited former India football team captain Subrata Paul. The legendary goalkeeper visited the academy (located near Udaipur) on Saturday as chief guest to felicitate 16-year-old Poonia and other budding players of the Hindustan Zinc-founded academy.
Sahil Poonia (left) with Subrata Paul and Hindustan Zinc CEO Arun Misra.
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Speaking at the ceremony, Subrata said, "It has been a wonderful experience to visit Zinc Football and meet all the talented young footballers here. The facilities and infrastructure along with education that Hindustan Zinc is providing is really remarkable and being from an academy background, it is so great to see for me at a personal level. I wish the boys all the best and want them to reach even greater heights than what I did."
Poonia, who is a goalkeeper, won the best goalkeeper award on his international debut tournament, featuring for India in the SAFF U-17 Championship held in Sri Lanka. The youngster, who is the son of a farmer from Haryana, also played in the 2023 AFC U-17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Saudi Arabia.
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Meanwhile, Arun Misra, who is the CEO of Hindustan Zinc, called it an 'incredible moment' and lavished praise on Poonia. "It is an incredibly proud moment for us to felicitate our Zinc Football Academy players for their remarkable achievements. While Sahil Poonia has set the bar high by representing the India Under-17 team at the highest level, a few other players have come out with excellent academic results in their board exams, further exhibiting the holistic approach of our student-athlete model at Zinc Football", he said.
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Meanwhile, Arun Misra, who is the CEO of Hindustan Zinc, called it an 'incredible moment' and lavished praise on Poonia. "It is an incredibly proud moment for us to felicitate our Zinc Football Academy players for their remarkable achievements. While Sahil Poonia has set the bar high by representing the India Under-17 team at the highest level, a few other players have come out with excellent academic results in their board exams, further exhibiting the holistic approach of our student-athlete model at Zinc Football", he said.
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The ceremony also saw players being felicitated for their excellent board results. Meanwhile, another player Sonu Haardu was acknowledged for his performance at the National Khelo India camp, where he was given the Top Athlete award. After felicitation, the ceremony also saw the unveiling of Hindustan Zinc's new brand identity and logo.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
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Home/Sports/Football/Legendary goalkeeper Subrata Paul felicitates India U-17 SAFF star Sahil Poonia
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