Srinagar, Nov 23: Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) is gearing up to kick off their I-League 2024-25 season against Rajasthan United FC on Sunday at the TRC Ground, Srinagar.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Saturday, RKFC head coach Ishfaq Ahmad expressed confidence in his team’s preparation.
“It will be a tough game since Rajasthan United FC is a strong side, but we have been training for over a month now. To secure a win, we need to play exceptional football,” he said.
He highlighted that this season will see some strategic changes compared to previous years.
“Our team this year consists of five foreign players, national talents, and local Kashmiri boys. We are optimistic about their performance and hope they deliver positive results,” he added.
The coach also stated the I-League’s role in nurturing Kashmiri footballers. “The league provides a platform for local players to compete against top football clubs in the country. Additionally, these matches are broadcast live on multiple channels, offering great exposure to our players,” he said.
He appealed to the local community to turn up in large numbers to support the team on Sunday.
RKFC remains the sole club from Jammu and Kashmir in the I-League and has been a symbol of football excellence in the region. Co-founded by the late Sandeep Chatoo, the club is now actively overseen by co-founder Arshad Shawl, who is dedicated to promoting football in the Valley.
Rajasthan United FC’s head coach, Walter Caprile Alanis, acknowledged the strength of RKFC and predicted a challenging match.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 2 pm on Sunday and will be broadcast live. Authorities have ensured proper arrangements for the event.
