AIFF U-18: Assam’s ‘Wonder Kids’ Power Zinc Football Academy Into The Final Round

Four young footballers from Assam have become key figures at Hindustan Zinc's Zinc Football Academy in Udaipur. The academy has secured a place in the Final Round of the AIFF Under-18 Elite League 2025–26. The boys carry hopes from Udalguri, Tinsukia, Duliajan, and Dimakuchi.

Striker Ashish Chetry, midfielder Bryant Dihingia, and goalkeepers Rishi Konwar and Dwiden Boro have shaped the Zonal Round campaign. The Final Round will take place in Punjab. ZFA sit in Group C with East Bengal FC, Reliance Foundation Young Champs, and the winner of Play-off 2. The top two teams reach the quarter-finals.

The wonder kids of ZFA

Ashish, a farmer's son from Udalguri, has become one of the league’s most lethal forwards. He has scored 23 goals in the Zonal Round, with three hat-tricks. He is currently the second-highest goal scorer in the national competition. His pressing, movement, and finishing drive ZFA's attack.

Off the pitch, Ashish remains a shy Class 11 student. He often draws inspiration from his idol Cristiano Ronaldo. He dreams of helping ZFA lift the national title for the first time. His performances have turned those ambitions into a realistic target for the academy.

From Borguri village in Tinsukia, Bryant acts as the side’s deep playmaker. The composed defensive midfielder is seen as the "brain" of the team. He controls tempo, breaks play, and starts attacks. The Class 12 student is soft-spoken and polite, staying calm under pressure.

Duliajan-born goalkeeper Rishi has been a steady last line. ZFA have conceded only four goals in 14 Zonal Round matches, and none at home. Rishi has answered whenever called upon. Coaches value his confidence and composure. His light-hearted, humble nature adds positivity within the squad.

Goalkeeper Dwiden, from Dimakuchi in Udalguri district, has followed a different path. He joined ZFA in 2023 and played in the AIFF U-15 Junior League. A complete PCL tear in 2025 sidelined him for nearly a year. Now back in training, he focuses on full fitness.

Though not yet match-ready, Dwiden remains key inside the group. He motivates teammates and leads by example, stressing patience and work. Coaches point to his mental strength after the long layoff. His journey shows the academy’s support for players through injury and recovery.

Academy vision and Northeast impact

"We are happy to have Ashish, Bryant, Rishi, and Dwiden from Assam, along with a few more players from across the Northeast. They bring a distinct energy and character, both on and off the pitch. As a group, we are committed to creating opportunities and providing a platform where talent can truly express itself.

Ultimately, our goal is to identify, nurture, and channel such potential towards the national team," quoted Tarun Roy, Technical Director, Zinc Football Academy. The academy’s Final Round qualification highlights its national reach. For the four boys from Assam, the Punjab phase is another step in their growing story with ZFA.