Srinagar, Feb 28: Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) is set to play its maiden match of the newly rebranded Indian Football League (IFL) against Dempo Sports Club in Goa on Sunday.
The Kashmir-based club is the only team from J&K participating in the I League over the past several years. The I-League, one of India’s top-tier football competitions, has been renamed as the Indian Football League from this season.
Addressing a pre-match press conference, RKFC head coach Ishfaq Ahmad said the team is prepared for a challenging contest against a strong opponent.
“Dempo Sports Club has a long history of playing quality football. They usually perform very well, especially on their home ground. We are expecting a competitive and exciting game,” Ishfaq said.
He acknowledged that the weather conditions in Goa may pose a challenge for the visiting side.
“The temperature here is quite hot and not ideal for football, particularly for teams coming from cooler regions. However, our players are well prepared to overcome these challenges and we are hopeful of putting up a good performance,” he added.
The coach also welcomed the return of competitive football in the country, noting that both the Indian Super League and the Indian Football League have resumed after a prolonged gap.
Owned by Arshad Shawl, RKFC has been working steadily to promote and strengthen football in Jammu and Kashmir. The squad features a mix of talented local players along with national and international recruits.
RKFC player Mohammad Inam described Dempo as a tough opponent but expressed confidence in the team’s preparations.
“This is our first match of the season and it is an away game. The weather is also quite different from what we are used to. Still, we are determined to play good football and hope not to disappoint our supporters,” he said.
He also appealed to fans back home to continue supporting the team and follow their journey through social media as the season begins.
The match is scheduled to begin at 4 pm and will be live on various channels.
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