Exclusive: Real Kashmir may move out from Srinagar amidst tensions

New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and Ambedkar Stadium are backup venues put ahead by the Snow Leopards.

I-League outfit Real Kashmir might shift their base away from Srinagar citing security for the upcoming I-League 2019-20 season.

Srinagar’s TRC Stadium has been the home for the Snow Leopards since they were promoted to the I-League in March, 2018. However, due to political tensions in Kashmir and the recent abrogation of Article 35(A) and Article 370 by the Government of India might force the Kashmiri side to play in Delhi, either at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium or the Ambedkar stadium, Khel Now can confirm.

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The Srinagar-based outfit would like to stay at their home but if the situation doesn’t permit they might be forced to play away from their home.

Real Kashmir made some great strides as a club, they started their 2nd Division I-League campaign in 2016 and were promoted to the top division in their second year beating Hindustan FC in the final. In their first ever campaign in the I-League, David Robertson’s side came third in the league ahead the likes of Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers.

However, the last season was marred by controversies for Real Kashmir as Minerva Punjab (now Punjab FC) refused to travel to Srinagar, citing security reasons following the Pulwama terrorist attack earlier this year. Later on, both the teams were gifted one point each as the fixture was abandoned. Quess East Bengal also denied traveling due to the same reason and later on the fixture was played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.

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Ahmadabad-based 2nd Division I-League club ARA FC travelled to Srinagar to play Lonestar Kashmir when they were told not to take on the field on the matchday by the officials which Khel Now exclusively revealed earlier. Since then, Lonestar Kashmir’s home games were shifted in much safer place in Katra.

Jammu & Kashmir also withdrew from the Santosh Trophy Qualifiers due to political tensions as the authorities claimed they were unable to contact players from the valley after network connectivity was restricted by the Government of India.