Amid ongoing Kashmir unrest, an ‘Unregistered’ football club, Real Kashmir FC, has managed to get entry in third oldest football tournament in the world, 128th Durand Cup scheduled to commence in New Delhi from August 28.
The club team has already left from Kashmir to have practice sessions in New Delhi before the event starts. Normally over the years any champion or known registered club of the state used to represent JK in the prestigious event with the backing of JK Football Association. However, this time around this newly found I-League aspiring club has managed to get its entry into the event by throwing norms to wind.
Sources said the club is still ‘unregistered’ in the state and has not played a single league match since its formation. “Due to ongoing situation in entire Kashmir, almost all the known clubs where unwilling to participate in the Durand cup,” said a source in J&K Football Association.
“Seeing the opportunity, Real Kashmir FC that is still not registered with JKFA as registration process has not been closed yet, used its connections within and outside the state to take part in the event. The club is owned by big a corporate house of Kashmir with Cabinet Minister as its patron,” a source said.
Sources said that JKFA may be denying that they have any part to play in team’s participation but the reality is that without their authorization no team from J&K can take part in the nationally recognized event.
“The truth is that without JKFA authorization they cannot get entry in any event not to talk of Durand cup. The other point is that club has also includes six J&K Bank players in its squad which is totally against rules. We have learned that J&K Bank initially declined to release players but later agreed when cabinet minister intervened. Even the players were escorted to Airport by Police,” sources said.
When contacted JKFA General Secretary, SA Hameed feigned ignorance and said that they have given no permission to any club to take part in Durand cup.
“We have no info about it neither we have authorized any team to take part in Durand cup. The club may have used its own approach,” he said.
Another office bearer of JKFA, Fayaz Ahmad Sofi said: “Our office is closed since July 8 and there is no thought of sending teams for national participation or organizing any event this time. The said club in question is not fully registered as registration process couldn’t be completed first due to Ramadan and then the current unrest,” Sofi said.
Former JKFA General Secretary, Bashir Ahmad Malik said that participation of any club cannot be possible without JKFA facilitating it.
“I have held General Secretary post of JKFA and know how teams can take part in any event. If the said team has managed to bypass JKFA then that is also severe violation of the rules,” Malik said.
The 128th edition of Durand Cup, India’s oldest football tournament will Kick-Off on August 28.
The 12 participating teams will be divided into two groups of 6 each and will play in League-cum knock out format. Real Kashmir FC will play its first match of the event against Neroca FC at Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi on August 29.