In a politically-stirred up Kashmir, the mere thought of bringing a change is absolutely alien at the ground level. And when it comes to bringing a bunch of football enthusiasts to play the beautiful game at a professional level, it sounds like a dream that will never see the light of the day, given the situational complexities of the land.
However, emerging as an exception among exceptions is Real Kashmir FC, a barely two-year-old football club that is making its presence felt in its debut season of the I-League, country’s premier football tournament.
A club that began amateurishly has picked up the pace exceptionally well in just a couple of years, giving a bunch of footballers from the valley not just hope but an actual platform to live their dream.
Real Kashmir FC, on Tuesday, 6 November, rewrote history after becoming the first football club from the valley to participate and to bring the game to Kashmir after a gap of two decades.
The progress of the club is now being hailed more than a fairy tale, which formally came into existence after the 2014 floods that ravaged Kashmir.
The club’s success in last few years is not only credited to the coach and players with international experience, but also to the the home grown footballers of Kashmir, who have equally participated in the rise of the football club.
It is the story of these home grown stars which continue to enthrall fans, not only in the valley but also all over the country. Their stories will continue to motivate an entire generation of Kashmiri footballers, who aspire to play for the club. The likes of Danish, Shahnawaz and Hammad are now the new face of the valley.
Danish Farooq
Seen as the emerging footballer of the valley and often called as apna Danish, Real Kashmir FC’s midfielder Danish Farooq’s journey to football is quite inspirational. Coming from a family of footballers from downtown Sakidafar area, he says that concentrating on studies and football simultaneously was a difficult job for him during his childhood.
“My parents had no issues with my passion for football but it was getting difficult to concentrate on both studies and football. But then a time came when I decided to take up football seriously,” he said.
Real Kashmir midfielder, Danish Farooq, who is 22-year-old, was inspired by his father, Farooq Ahmad, who was also a professional footballer two decades back. Ahmad represented the Jammu and Kashmir state team in Santosh Trophy and also played for Kolkata giant Mohammedan Sporting.
Football was in my blood. My father, who is also a known footballer, often used to take me along for his morning practice sessions and even for matches. Somewhere, I inherited this passion from him only.Danish Farooq
After playing in the local academy for two years, Danish was selected for J&K Bank football team. He won around 12 leagues and tournaments with J&K Bank Football club
Danish’s played a stellar role in the second division I- League, where he scored many winners for Real Kashmir FC. He was the top scorer for Real Kashmir FC with four goals along with three other players of the club in I- League second division last season.
He believes that Real Kashmir’s entry into the I-League will help reviving the football in the valley. But the uncertainty in the valley might stall the progress of the future stars from Kashmir.
We often have to take alternate routes in case there is something wrong within the city. But we have always ensured that we attend the practice sessions regularly.Danish Farooq
Danish believes the sports infrastructure in the state still needs to develop to ensure football round the year.
We have just few months to practice here. Rain and snow often spoil matches and practice sessions. So, government involvement is much required.Danish Farooq
Shahnawaz Bashir
A Central government employee by profession, 30-year-old Shahnawaz Bashir, a resident of Sathoo Barbarshah in Srinagar never took a step back when it came to his love for football.
Currently, among the top players of Real Kashmir football club, Shahnawaz had to face hardships during his childhood to carry forward his passion for football.
Coming from a middle-class family, midfielder Shahnawaz couldn’t afford a football nor shoes in his early days.
We had a small-time business. So, owning a football or shoes for playing was unimaginable. I used to borrow it from my friends for a game or a tournament.Shahnawaz Bashir
Despite financial constraints, Shahnawaz never allowed anything to come between him and his love for the game.
“At the age of 13, I undertook coaching sessions from J&K’s first NIS certified coach Muhammad Abdullah Dar. Then I went on to play for J&K Forest Department and J&K Bank which fetched me few bucks that allowed me to take care of my footballing expenses,” he said.
Shanawaz’s bent towards football was initially resisted by his family considering lack of career prospect in the game, especially in Kashmir.
My mother was against it initially. But I kept playing and joined J&K Bank team. Later, I joined my first private football club LoneStar Kashmir before finally making it to Real Kashmir FC.Shahnawaz Bashir
Shahnawaz said he continued his practice even during 2014 floods and also in 2010 and 2016, when the valley saw some unrest.
“In 2014, I used to somehow manage to reach Islamia College playground and practice there for the entire day. Similarly, in 2010 and 2016, when there was curfew in the entire city for months, I would still regularly make it to my practice sessions,” he said
Shahnawaz had played in I- League before the inception of Real Kashmir FC.
Earlier, I played for Mumbai FC in I- League. After success of star players like Mehraj-ud-din Wadoo and Ishfaq Ahmad, I must say that a revolution of football had started in Kashmir.Shahnawaz Bashir
Muhammad Hammad
Real Kashmir’s defender, Muhammad Hammad had almost decided to become a cricketer like his father Ishfaq Ahmad, but it was a lone practice game that landed him into the world of football.
Hammad, who is one of the main reason behind the Real Kashmir FC’s unbeaten run of 14 matches in I- League second division, said that former Indian football team captain and ace Kashmiri footballer Abdul Majeed Kakroo spotted him once playing a local match in his locality in 2016.
I had almost decided to become a cricketer as my father, who played for Forest Department, would suggest me to pursue it professionally. But one Sunday my friends asked me to play a match in their team and from there my journey began.Muhammad Hammad
Today, Hammad is a household name in Srinagar, who often can be spotted surrounded by a group of young kids, who seek his autograph on their jerseys.
It is a great feeling when early in the morning some 10 to 20 kids visit your home and seek your advise and also your autograph. I must say I feel like a star.Muhammad Hammad
A former Lonestart FC player and current defender for Real Kashmir FC, Hammad says he rigorously attends his practice sessions irrespective of the situation in his city.
“The current situation is not impacting my game in anyway. If anything happens here, I manage to reach the playground and practice,” he said.
Considered as one of the best defenders of I- League, Hammad believes the I-league matches in Srinagar will incline footballers in his state to take this game seriously.
“Teams like Mohun Bagan coming here to Srinagar actually means a lot. Such events will popularise the game here once again and create better players for future,” he says.
(The author is a freelance journalist from Kashmir with an experience of over eight years of reporting issues on various beats.)
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