ZEEL to direct 15% of Zee5 football subscription revenue towards grassroots development

Zee Entertainment Enterprises (ZEEL) has announced a football development initiative under which 15% of revenue generated from football-related subscriptions on Zee5 will be allocated to talent identification, training and grassroots football programmes across India.

The initiative is aimed at building a structured football ecosystem spanning city, district, state and national levels, while enabling Zee5 subscribers to contribute directly to the development of aspiring footballers through their engagement with the platform.

The move comes as part of ZEEL's broader efforts to strengthen football in India following its long-term partnership with FIFA, which runs until 2034. The company said it plans to draw on global best practices in talent discovery, coaching, player development and league-building to support the sport's growth in the country.

According to ZEEL, the programme will focus on creating pathways for young footballers through grassroots leagues, structured training initiatives and talent development opportunities. The company also plans to collaborate with football experts, international sporting bodies and national and state associations to identify and nurture talent at various levels.

The initiative seeks to support players from city, district and state-level competitions, with the goal of creating opportunities for progression to national and international stages.

Commenting on the development, Punit Goenka, Chief Executive Officer, Zee Entertainment Enterprises, said India possesses significant untapped football talent with the potential to compete globally. He said the company aims to create a sustainable environment that supports football development while allowing viewers to contribute to the aspirations of young players through their subscriptions.

"Our efforts aim to blend passion with opportunity and translate engagement into impact," Goenka said, adding that the company envisions helping place India firmly on the global football map through future generations of players.

ZEEL said the initiative is inspired by Swami Vivekananda's message encouraging young people to take up football to build strength, discipline and confidence.

The company added that the programme is designed to strengthen football's foundations at the grassroots level and contribute to a long-term ecosystem that could support India's participation in FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups across age groups by 2034.