Srinagar July 19: On July 16, Jammu and Kashmir Football Association in its official Facebook handle announced that Downtown Heroes FC has earned a remarkable achievement by going to participate in the prestigious 132 edition of the Durand Cup in Kolkata.
“This achievement holds a special significance as Downtown Heroes FC becomes the first ever private football club of J&K to participate in this esteemed tournament,” the JKFA said.
It was the Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) which became the first private club from J&K to participate in Durand Cup in 2016 and 2019 for the last over 40 years.
Some unconfirmed reports say that a club from J&K had participated in Durand Cup before 1980. However, since than no club except RKFC has participated in this tournament.
This year, the organisers of Durand Cup also invited the RKFC to participate in the tournament. Besides, RKFC management was told that Durand Cup trophy will also tour to Kashmir. However, due to other engagements, the RKFC could not participate in the tournament, sources said.
“The RKFC likely to thank the organisers of the Durand Cup for the invitation. We hope RKFC will participate in Durand Cup the next year,” an RKFC official said.
The RKFC is also first club from J&K participating in I League and also won IFA Shield twice.
