Zinc Football Academy's Sonam Ghosh Joins India U-17 Squad
Zinc Football Academy goalkeeper Sonam Ghosh joins India's 23-member U-17 squad for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers in Malaysia.
In a significant boost for Indian youth football, 15-year-old goalkeeper Sonam Ghosh has been selected for the 23-member India U-17 squad. The talented shot-stopper will represent the "Young Tigresses" in the upcoming AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 Qualifiers.
The squad announcement was made by head coach Joakim Alexandersson, as the national team aims to achieve a historic feat: securing back-to-back qualifications for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup for the first time in the team's history.
The Road to Glory in Malaysia
India has been placed in Group E for the qualification tournament. The Young Tigresses are scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur on October 2 to prepare for their high-stakes matches. The group stage will be played at the MP Selayang Stadium in Selayang, Malaysia, with the following schedule:
- October 5: India vs Iraq
- October 8: India vs Syria
- October 11: India vs Malaysia (Host)
The stakes are incredibly high, as only the group winners will earn a spot in the final tournament.
A Rising Star from West Bengal
Sonam Ghosh’s selection is a testament to her rapid ascent in the footballing world. Hailing from Arambagh in West Bengal, she joined the Zinc Football Academy (ZFA) as part of its pioneering residential girls' programme. Her journey from academy football to the international stage has been marked by consistent excellence.
Earlier this year, Sonam played a pivotal role in ZFA's successful campaign in the Rajasthan Senior Women’s League. She was also a standout performer in the semi-finals of the inaugural AIFF U-17 Women’s Youth League. Her recent experience includes multiple India U-17 training camps and a recent trip to Tashkent to compete in international friendly matches against Uzbekistan.
Dreams Turned into Reality
Reflecting on her selection, a proud Sonam shared her gratitude for the platform provided to her:
“Representing India is a dream I have always cherished, and I’m incredibly grateful to Hindustan Zinc for giving me the opportunity to begin my journey at the ZFA Academy. The academy gave me the right environment, guidance, and belief to grow as a footballer. Wearing the India jersey today is a proud moment, and I hope my journey inspires many more young girls to dream big.”
Zinc Football Academy’s Growing Legacy
Sonam’s success highlights the effectiveness of the ZFA girls' programme, which provides structured training, formal education, and holistic development to young players, many from rural backgrounds. Since 2018, the AIFF 3-star-rated academy has been a consistent producer of talent for India's age-group teams.
Sonam joins a prestigious list of ZFA players who have represented the nation, including goalkeeper Rajrup Sarkar and players Sahil Poonia, Prem Hansdak, and Mohammed Kaif. The academy's commitment to women's football was further solidified in 2025 with the launch of India’s first residential football academy specifically for girls.