NEW DELHI: Real Kashmir Football Club has created history by becoming the first club from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the country’s top-tier I-League after winning the second division league by beating Delhi side Hindustan FC 3-2 in Bengaluru.
The accomplishments are all the more laudable considering that the club was set up barely 18 months ago.
The side from the Valley emerged as the winner of the second division league by securing seven points — from two wins and a draw — from three matches in the final round.
Only the winning team of the second division league is promoted to the I-League. Real Kashmir FC will now play in the I-League season 2018-19.
Real Kashmir scored through Ifham Tariq Mir (22nd minute), Danish Farooq (42nd) and Nadong Bhutia (67th) while Kushant Chauhan (34th and 80th) was on target for Hindustan FC at the FSV Arena.
David Robertson’s Srinagar-based side only needed a point to win the title and promotion on the final day of the league season. And they produced a clinically efficient performance to win the match and create history.
“I think this victory is a tribute to the people, specially the young men of Kashmir who refuse to give up despite all that is going on there,” Shamim Meraj, owner of Real Kashmir FC told ESPN.
“And I think finally Kashmir has something they can own and cheer for at the highest possible level in India.”
All India Football Federation congratulated Real Kashmir FC on the achievement.
“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 and take our country to higher echelons of international football,” AIFF president Praful Patel said in his statement.
AIFF general secretary Kushal Das added: “The I-League finds a new centre in the next edition and AIFF’s vision of a pan Indian league has further been substantiated. Congratulations and good luck for the next edition.”
