Let this Kashmiri football fairy tale continue beyond 2019

Any great beginning happens in a spur of moment!

That’s what Sandeep Chattoo, owner of the hotel chain CH2 (his second name) now realises, looking back to 2016, how he agreed to finance a dream for local Kashmiri teenagers in the Valley. And with less than two years at the Indian soccer scene, Real Kashmir cubs have grown into full blown Snow Leopards, as they are affectionately called.

Chattoo, obviously, agreed to such a deal then because his footballer friend Shamim Meraj, now editor of a local newspaper, sold him an idea that only few footballs are needed to channelise the energy of the teenagers in and around Srinagar town. Not to forget that this was the time when most of the youth population in the Valley was seen as the “stone-pelting” brigade.

Through his own playing experience, the former footballer Shamim knew it well that only sport has the magic to bring in change into the fortunes of these unguided Kashmiris.

And, this beautiful game has already made a huge difference to the lives of youth in the Valley. The magic was such that people soon started calling off a protest march to witness a game of football. The loud cheers of its own surroundings motivated the youth to such an extent that it managed to break into India’s top-level football league, alongside clubs like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, within a span of just two seasons.

No one outside the Srinagar Valley knew that all these enthusiastic boys from surrounding areas used to practice during the shutdowns. There were times when they were also denied entry into the Real Kashmir ground by policemen. Even now, when the situation has become better than 2016, the armoured vehicles and policemen encircling the stadium still reminds one of the tough times that the kids had encountered.

This hard work finally paid off when Real Kashmir became the first Kashmiri club to be promoted to the I-League only last year. This was possible because Snow Leopards finished at the top of I-League second division in 2017-18, getting promotion for the impending season. The team further got a push with the appointment of former Rangers and Scottish international David Robertson as the coach.

However, the Scottish coach also faced severe issues like the players after landing in the Valley. There were huge power cuts, erratic internet connectivity with occasional suspensions, even forcing Robertson to quit this assignment for more lucrative jobs in either China or Uganda. Now even Robertson realises that without all those hardships and challenges, it would not be possible for him to be part of this folklore.

The big moment was yet to come for the Snow Leopards. And it came in November when the mighty German sportswear firm Adidas picked it to sign a kit sponsorship deal. Mind it, all other big and famous clubs in India were chasing this deal! This was obviously because of the fairy tale season that this Kashmir club was scripting on its debut. Can they emulate Bengaluru’s debut season, or can they script history like Aizawl FC by winning the I-League in first year itself is still to be known. But at 32, they are just two points adrift of champions Chennai City (34) after 16 outings so far. Robertson or the owners or the fans in the Valley know this is just the beginning ahead of a long football journey.

No one in the Valley has a doubt that Real Kashmir FC has turned negative political tension into a sea of opportunities for the youth. The club originated from a mere idea of keeping teenagers busy with some physical activity, but has turned into a huge bridge of peace and unity. People thronging the local football fields are finding respite from the largely unstable political and social climate. But the situation may again be back to square one by next season as AIFF has decided to merge I-league and the lucrative ISL as per directives from international body, FIFA. That would mean that the Snow Leopards have little chance of making it to the new league. Though the owners have promised to give it their best shot, despite funds crunch, it would be a real surprise if AIFF manages to keep this happy story of the Valley alive.

Till then, let’s keep cheering this great glimmer of hope till the end of Indian football season!

Author is senior editor, Sports, DNA