Hindustan Zinc signs MoU for development of Gora Badal Sports Stadium in Chittorgarh; Facility to support youth participation, training, and community engagement across rural Rajasthan

Jaipur: Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL), the world's largest integrated zinc producer and one of the top five silver producers globally, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the district administration in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan for the development of the Gora Badal Sports Stadium in Chittorgarh.The project will be executed as a modern sports stadium aimed at strengthening grassroots level sports infrastructure, promoting physical fitness, and creating structured opportunities for youth participation and talent development across Rajasthan.
The MoU outlines the development of the overall design and phased execution of the project, aligned with modern sports facility standards and long-term community requirements. This will serve as a reference framework for the development of the venue into a sports stadium along with a jogging track that can support training, tournaments and recreational use.Speaking on the initiative, Arun Misra, CEO & Wholetime Director – Hindustan Zinc, said, "Sports have the power to shape personality, build resilience and unite communities. Through the development of this sports stadium, we aim to create an enabling ecosystem where young people can discover their potential and pursue their ambitions. At Hindustan Zinc, we see such investments as long-term contributions towards youth development, community well-being and the creation of opportunities that extend far beyond the playing field."The scope of development includes creation of outdoor sports areas such as a football field, jogging and walking tracks, supported by essential amenities. These include separate changing rooms for boys and girls, sanitation facilities, parking and security systems, CCTV surveillance, high mast lighting, solar-based electrification, rainwater harvesting structures, approach road development, heightening of boundary walls and entry-exit points.The project is expected to deliver multiple outcomes, including promotion of health and wellness through enhanced community participation, and creation of opportunities for identifying and nurturing sporting talent at the grassroots level. The stadium will also serve as a shared community asset, enabling local rural communities to engage in organised sports activities within a safe and professionally developed environment.The development of Gora Badal Sports Stadium aligns with Hindustan Zinc's broader aim for sports development efforts, including its long-standing engagement in grassroots football and its partnership with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) through the Zinc Football Academy, which focuses on structured athlete development and professional training pathways.This initiative further strengthens Hindustan Zinc's growing footprint in sports promotion across India. The company has been actively investing in structured grassroots sports through its long-standing football programmes, including the Zinc Football Academy in partnership with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), which operates residential academies for both boys and girls. The launch of India's first residential football academy exclusively for girls reflects Hindustan Zinc's commitment to nurturing talent from an early age through professional training, education, and technology-enabled performance development. With a sports legacy spanning nearly four decades, beginning with its Mohan Kumar Mangalam (MKM) football stadium at Zawar in 1976, Hindustan Zinc has consistently promoted sports across disciplines including football, athletics, kabaddi and volleyball.The company continues to strengthen grassroots talent development through platforms such as the Vedanta Zinc City Half Marathon, which has positioned Udaipur on the global running map, with sports initiatives collectively impacting nearly 30,000 lives positively.