I-LEAGUE (2018-19): Real Kashmir FC’s home matches

To ascertain the progress of work on synthetic turf TRC ground where I-League debutant Real Kashmir FC is scheduled to play its home matches in Srinagar, a delegation of All India Football Federation (AIFF) and official broadcasters Star Sports recently reviewed ongoing work at Synthetic Turf, TRC ground here.

Srinagar-based Real Kashmir FC recently created history as the team qualified for I-League (2-18-19), but questions were raised on the quality of infrastructure available for hosting club’s home matches. I-League being India’s premier league tournament in which each club has to play home and away matches, the host club has to meet the standards set by the football’s governing body viz-a-viz the infrastructure facilities for the visting team.    

   

Till recently, Real Kashmir FC was contemplating on a move to shift its base from Srinagar in view of poor football infrastructure available in the state. However, with the intervention of the J&K Government, AIFF delegation was invited to brief administration about requirements for hosting the matches. For briefing, the first delegation of AIFF met the officials of J&K State Sports Council around two months back and soon, necessary works on the infrastructure up-gradation were taken up for execution.

After reviewing the ongoing work at TRC ground, the visiting delegation held a meeting with the Secretary, J&K State Sports Council. Representatives of J&K Football Association (JKFA) and Real Kashmir FC were also present in the meeting.

As per the officials of J&K Sports Council, although the delegation was satisfied with the pace of the ongoing work, it gave briefing on further requirements to be set in place to the Sports Council and JKFA officials.

A club official also said that a few members of the delegation raised query regarding weather conditions and the ability of the Sports Council to remove snow from the turf in extreme weather conditions.

“The delegation expressed satisfaction on the pace of work and was hopeful that Real Kashmir FC will play all home matches in Srinagar. They also gave out details of further requirements, mostly concerning the broadcasters, as the matches are set to be telecast live. These include five to six camera towers, a couple of control rooms equipped with cooling capacity etc. AIFF officials also asked the Sports Council to ensure regular maintenance of the turf,” said a club official.

I-League (2018-19) is scheduled to start in the 3rd week of October with Real Kashmir FC likely to play its first home match in the first week of November.

“It is not a big issue as most of the work has been completed. The work is going on fast track basis and we are hopeful that everything would be ready on time,” said Sports Council official, referring to the synthetic turf.

Real Kashmir FC is currently on a pre-season preparatory training trip to Mumbai. The club will be playing two away matches before their first ever I-League home match in Srinagar.

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