“Through sport, we have the power to change lives.”
For the uninitiated, this is the core belief of the global sportwear giant, adidas. Keeping in line with this thought, adidas announced its partnership with Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) last year.
For most people, the real face of Kashmir would bring to mind images long propagated and perpetuated by the media. But that’s not what adidas saw – instead, they found football. With an aim to make the nation see the real face of Kashmir– the brand took RKFC under its wings to spread positivity through the game of football. A year later, the team serves as an inspiration - goading people to hope and dream, in the state and outside.
Through the brand’s constant championing, RKFC became the first team in the history of football to get fans to sway from their first loves – their home teams. Through the journey of their strenuous hardwork and support, the team garnered love and support from across the country. From having no ground to practice on to witnessing the roar of thousands of people reverberating across the country as they played – the team kept achieving new milestones. But this association helped them attain a never-seen-before phenomenon in football fanfare
What is this unique phenomenon giving birth to #UnRealFans?
It is a known fact that football is associated with passion, emotion, and dedication. Football fans are passionate and loyal to their teams. Being a real fan is not about being a mere spectator, it is about being a participant. In fact, some football fans go on to describe themselves as the ‘twelfth man’. The Real Kashmir Football Club managed to disrupt the legacy of fans. Fans of other clubs started supporting RKFC and the team became the second favorite club of opponent fans on social media. Don’t believe us? Read on.
Those ‘Unreal Fans’ who learnt to love two teams equally
Madhavan Nair – a true portrayal of such #UnRealFans from Kerala, who despite being a committed fan of his team showed astounding support to Real Kashmir FC for their unbending grit and a winning comeback.
Sometimes all things unimaginable can shape into the best of stories! Another beautiful representation of all #UnRealFans hailing from West Bengal. This dedicated fanboy Anirban Sen, who has had unflinching support for Bengal Football Club has stepped up to cheer for RKFC as well. The fact that RKFC qualified for the league in just three years changed him into a die-hard RKFC fan as many such football fanatics in India.
Those ‘Unreal Fans’ who now show interest in sports
The story doesn’t end there. The team also found converts in those who were never interested in following any sport earlier. This is Priya, a travel blogger, who now is a football fan, thanks to the Real Kashmir Football Club.
Watching devoted fans divide love and loyalty for RKFC after watching them qualify for the I-League last year, speaks great lengths about what a winner the valley’s only football club is. Even though they didn’t win the trophy last season, they won the hearts of millions and that’s their biggest achievement so far. And we cannot wait to see them play their best this season and bring the cup to Kashmir. Stay tuned to watch how the Real Kashmir Football Club gathers more ‘Unreal Fans’ through its real game.
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