Real Kashmir Fans (Images via X/@realkashmirfc) NEW DELHI: Few clubs in Indian football have risen as quickly or as symbolically as Real Kashmir FC. From their debut season to regular rivals in the Indian Football League (IFL), the Srinagar-based club has built a reputation for resilience and ambition. Yet, as the upcoming I-League season prepares to begin on February 21, the Snow Leopards find themselves in the familiar terrain of uncertainty on and off the field.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Real Kashmir, winners of the IFA Shield (2020 and 2021), have finished in the top five six times in the I-League in the seven seasons they have competed. However, the postponement of the season created significant logistical and financial problems not only for Real Kashmir but also for clubs across the league.Club owner Arshad Shawl, who took over as part of the management group in 2019, has openly said the turmoil is the result of a system that has been too reliant on a single private entity for more than a decade.“You have to understand the ecosystem of Indian football over the last 15 years,” Shawl told TOI. “When that private support was withdrawn, there was no contingency plan.Due to the financial burden of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the I-League clubs have been forced to absorb much of the operational burden themselves. For Real Kashmir, the problem is compounded by geography and climate. Pre-season preparations in sub-zero temperatures together with an uncertain calendar made the task even more difficult.“Starting this season is like starting a frozen engine in sub-zero temperatures and asking it to run a rally,” added Shawl.Despite the setbacks, the club’s philosophy remains firmly rooted in local identity. Real Kashmir has consistently prioritized Kashmiri players and home-grown talent, a vision reflected in the appointment of former Indian international and native Kashmiri Ishfaq Ahmed as head coach. Under his leadership, the club became a platform for local footballers to dream bigger. “This club put Kashmir in the headlines for a happier reason,” said Shawl. “It allowed the world to look at Kashmir through the lens of football.”Apart from the first team, Real Kashmir has invested in structured youth development, mixing local prospects with experienced Indian and overseas players. Capable backroom staff support the team.”Shawl insists that what continues to hold the club back is beyond his control. “We’re doing everything we can to influence,” he said, pointing to ownership stability, player commitment and grassroots development.
