Real Kashmir
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Contents |
History
The beginnings, 2016 onw
From: Hindol Basu, Football unites: New I-League club brings youngsters together from across Kashmir, October 20, 2018: The Times of India
Amid infiltrations, terror attacks and talk of surgical strikes, a Kashmiri Muslim and his Pandit friend have joined hands to promote football in the Valley. Meet Shamim Meraj and Sandeep Chattoo, co-owners of I-League newbie Real Kashmir FC.
The duo formed the club in 2016 after seeing the plight of the youth during the 2014 floods. Most playgrounds were submerged and youngsters were left at a loose end. But to make the club work, they needed to cross invisible red lines, particularly those drawn by religion and politics. Football emerged as common ground. “We wanted to channelise the energy of Kashmiri youths in a positive way. That’s why the idea of forming a club,” Meraj, an alumnus of St Stephen’s College, Delhi, recalls.
“Shamim and I have done it together, as a Hindu and a Muslim,” chips in Chattoo. “We want to make a difference; we want to bring a football revolution in Kashmir. We want to make the Paradise on Earth a paradise for football.”
Shamim is editor of his family-owned local newspaper Kashmir Monitor; Sandeep is a local hotelier. In just two years, the club has made history by making it to the top division of I-League, India’s domestic football tournament.
‘We want to show Kashmir’s real face’
The club also has over 3,000 youngsters from various areas of Kashmir enrolled in its grassroots academy.
“There is craze for the game and also talent. That’s the real face of Kashmir and we have shown that real face to the world by winning the second division league and qualifying for the I-League,” Chattoo adds.
“We want youth to take up football instead of pelting stones.”
The club’s name is not on the lines of Spanish football giant Real Madrid, Chattoo explains. “We want to show the Kashmir’s real face with boys and kids playing football just like any other part of the country. Hence the name Real Kashmir.”
Talking about the team and staff’s diverse composition, Meraj says, “I am a Kashmiri Muslim, Sandeep a Kashmiri Pandit. We have Africans, Scotsmen, Hindus and Muslims; players are from different linguistic backgrounds. All of them playing for a team based out of Kashmir is a great example of how football can transcend barriers.”
Infrastructural and financial issues persist. There is no designated football stadium. The team practises at the TRC Turf Ground in Srinagar, which doesn’t even have toilets. With just weeks to go for the 2018-19 season of the I-League, the club is yet to get a sponsor.
“We still don’t have sponsors. It’s difficult to run a professional football team like this,” rues Meraj. But both Chattoo and Meraj say they are living their dream. “Now, we just need wings to fly,” signs off Chattoo.
2018
Arrival at the national level
Becomes First Team From The Valley To Qualify For I-League
Kashmir’s gain was Delhi’s loss as Eid came a week early in Srinagar.
Real Kashmir qualified for the I-League after getting past Delhi’s Hindustan FC 3-2 in the second division league at the FSV Arena in Bengaluru. David Robertson’s side needed only a point to win the title and promotion on the final day of the season and they delivered a clinical performance to blank Hindustan FC. The 49-year old Robertson is a Scottish-born defender who spent his playing days with Aberdeen, Rangers FC, Leeds United and Montrose.
Real Kashmir scored through Ifham Tariq Mir (22nd), Danish Farooq (42nd ) and Nadong Bhutia (67th) while Kushant Chauhan (34th & 80th) was on target for Hindustan FC.
“It is the biggest and happiest occasion for the people of Kashmir since independence,” former international Ishfaq Ahmed told TOI from Srinagar.
Ishfaq, the speedy winger who played for Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and India, is currently in Srinagar on a holiday and said he could feel the joy among the people. “It is trending on Facebook and I am getting congratulatory calls from across the country. It is difficult to put into words the joy that the Real Kashmir boys have brought home.”
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Praful Patel also sent his greetings. “Congratulations Real Kashmir FC for becoming the first club from Kashmir to qualify for the I-League. I am sure the achievement will inspire the youth to take up the beautiful game,” he said in a statement.
It was the third meeting between the two teams. In the group-league stage, Real Kashmir held Hindustan FC 3-3 in Srinagar and in the return leg in the Capital, the score was 0-0.
Ishfaq’s friend Shamim Mehraj, is the heart and soul of the club which played in the Durand Cup in 2016. Mehraj runs Kashmir Monitor, a daily newspaper. Real Kashmir played the second division in 2016-17 and in the very next season, they have made the cut.
“People know a couple of sportspersons from Kashmir. Mehrajuddin Waddo, Parvez Rasool and myself. But now they will know a whole lot of them,” said Ishfaq. “It is an opportunity for the Kashmiri boys to showcase their talent at home. They do not have to leave for Kolkata as we had to.”
What Ishfaq is looking forward to is how the state association will manage a full season next year. “We only had exhibition matches in Srinagar. Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting came to play. But now it will be a full season. Major renovation work in the Bakshi stadium is needed. The state government and law-enforcing authorities will also have to chalk out plans to host 10 matches atleast over a period of four months. The biggest teams of the country will be coming to play in Srinagar. It is a huge responsibility and a great challenge.”
It was Real Kashmir who broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. Ivorian Kouassi Yao started the move and it was finished by Tariq.
