Srinagar, Dec 03: The University of Kashmir’s U-21 boys’ football team emerged victorious in a thrilling finale against Govt. Degree College, Baramulla, claiming the championship title in the inaugural football tournament organized by Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) in Kashmir.
The intense clash at the TRC Ground in Srinagar on November 30 ended in a dramatic penalty shootout, with the University of Kashmir triumphing 11-10 over their counterparts.
The tightly contested match saw both teams level at the end of regulation time, with a goal from each side forcing the game into a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. The first 10 players from each team successfully converted their penalties, but it was the University of Kashmir boys who maintained composure just a little longer to secure the victory.
Former Coach of Kerala Blasters FC and current Head Coach of Real Kashmir FC, Ishfaq Ahmed, lauded the RFYS initiative for its positive impact on Kashmiri football. Ahmed emphasized the importance of such competitions in providing valuable match experience for the youth, contributing to their mental and physical development.
Sajid Yousuf Dar, football coach at the University of Kashmir and former head coach of the Indian senior women’s national team, expressed gratitude towards RFYS for bringing their initiatives to Jammu & Kashmir. Dar emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to elevate the football scene in the region.
The RFYS, in collaboration with the University of Kashmir, successfully conducted the U-21 category and announced plans to organize similar tournaments in the U-15 and U-19 categories for both boys and girls, signaling a positive step towards the growth of football in the region.
