Srinagar: The newly rebranded India Football League (IFL) is set to witness its maiden match in Srinagar as Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) take on Namdhari FC on Wednesday at the TRC Ground.
RKFC, the only club from Jammu and Kashmir competing in the league—earlier known as the I-League—is gearing up for its first home fixture of the season. The tournament is organised by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Having played all their previous matches outside the Union Territory, Wednesday’s clash marks a significant moment for the club as it returns to its home turf. Preparations are underway to ensure the smooth conduct of the match, which is scheduled to kick off at 4 pm.
Owned by Arshad Shawl, RKFC is coached by Ishfaq Ahmad and features a mix of local, national, and foreign players. The team is hopeful of capitalising on familiar conditions and strong home support.
Addressing a pre-match press conference, RKFC Assistant Coach Masood Maqbool expressed confidence in the team’s readiness. “Our preparations have been solid. The players are fully focused on this first home match, and we are expecting a positive result,” he said.
On handling pressure ahead of the home debut, Masood said the team management has advised players to stay relaxed. “The owner has told the players not to take pressure but to enjoy the game. We are looking to make the most of the home advantage and the support of our fans,” he added.
RKFC player Shahid Nazir also shared his excitement about playing in front of the home crowd. “This is a crucial match for us as it is our first home game of the season. We are eager to execute our plans and secure a favourable result,” he said, appealing to fans to turn up in large numbers to support the team.
