Thousands Brave Winter Chill, Witness Kashmir’s Long-Awaited Football Match

Braving winter chill and cold weather, the Valley witnessed its first major sporting event in Srinagar since the revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 5. On Thursday, Real Kashmir hosted I-league champions Chennai City at TRC Turf Ground, drawing several thousand in the stands. Unlike past, however, the attendance was less, with rows and rows of seats remaining empty during the match. “The seating capacity is around 13,000 at the ground.

Thursday’s match — which Real Kashmir won 2-1 — was the first home game of the season, after Real Kashmir’s previous match against Gokulam Kerala, which was to be played on December 12, had to be rescheduled due to adverse weather conditions. Real Kashmir’s next match here will be on January 5 against Mohun Bagan.