Real Kashmir FC players stranded in Srinagar amid COVID-19 lockdown

The Snow Leopards' foreign contingent including their head coach is hoping to travel back home soon.

All sporting activities over the world have come to a halt owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, the I-League too was suspended with four rounds to play before the country was officially put into lockdown on March 25. The situation has meant that Real Kashmir FC coach David Robertson along with several of their foreign players remain stranded in a hotel in Srinagar.

Aaron Katebe (Zambia), Loveday Enyinnaya (Nigeria), Bazie Armand and Gnohere Krizo ( both Ivory Coast) are the four African players alongside six British players that are staying at the team hotel. These are unprecedented times and the Zambian international spoke about how he is dealing with the current predicament.

“It is the first time that I have had to face such a situation. I am in touch with my wife and parents. Connectivity is low here so it is difficult to communicate but I do talk to them over phone. I am not scared because I believe in God and have faith that everything will be OK. There is gym in the hotel, which I frequently work out in and I am also on my PlayStation a lot.”

Further, a decision on abandoning the remaining I-League season remains to be taken, with Mohun Bagan already named champions as they wrapped up the title before things went south. For Real Kashmir FC, Robertson did an admirable job guiding them to an impressive third-place finish. His wife and son are staying with him; however, he would be desperate to get back to Scotland to meet his parents and look after his mother who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

“We are hopeful of getting a flight from Punjab next week. So keeping our fingers crossed. Hopefully, we get to Aberdeen safely," said Robertson, according to a report in The Times of India.

“I have been in constant touch with my mum and dad despite the internet connectivity being not too good here. Facetime and video calls are very difficult, so most of the time it is just by voice. There is frustration,” he further added.

Amid the lockdown, many have resorted to video calls and other similar mediums to maintain communication with their loved ones. But that too has proven difficult due to the poor connectivity in Kashmir.  

“It has been difficult. Internet and power cuts are bad. I have got used to it and this season was good.”

“We couldn’t get back to Kashmir and when we did get back we couldn’t call home for two weeks. There are 10 of us here in the hotel. And day by day we don’t even talk of football any more. So it just shows, that despite football being a big part of my life, when these things happen it doesn’t leave anything really.”

According to a tweet by the British High Commission on Saturday, the United Kingdom will arrange chartered flights from a host of cities in India, which is welcome news for the gaffer as well as the other British nationals who would be itching to be close to family. Real Kashmir FC co-owner Sandeep Chattoo is also living with the players in the hotel and is trying to do his part to support the players.

“I just couldn’t have dumped them here. Staying back has helped and our efforts have ensured that at least the UK nationals will probably leave in the coming week. The African players unfortunately have to stay longer but they are safe and comfortable here.”