In Srinagar's Downtown area, the emerging Downtown Heroes Football Club, predominantly composed of local Kashmiri players, aspires to represent the region on the national stage. Founded in 2020 by Mushtaq Bashir and Hinan Manzoor to counter drug addiction and change perceptions, the club aims to provide a platform for local talent. Despite challenges, the club has achieved notable success, secured sponsors, and is set to participate in the prestigious Durand Cup, offering hope to Kashmir's youth and showcasing their football potential.
If NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) win against the Downtown Heroes of Kashmir, a most likely scenario going by their performance so far, on Sunday, it will leave either Mohammedan Sporting or Jamshedpur FC to win very big in Kolkata, to harbour any .
Having lost their group games, Kolkata giants Mohammedan Sporting and Odisha FC face must-win group games, kicking off the second week in the 132nd Durand Cup tournament with Mohammedan taking on Indian Navy Football Team in Kolkata's Kishore .
After Real Kashmir FC, another local club Downtown Heroes have grown into Kashmir and have become a part of the I-League Second Division, spreading their wings one step at a time with the prime aim of providing a platform for the local .