Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 31: A prominent businessman and the owner of Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC), Sandeep Chattoo died in Delhi after suffering a severe heart attack.
Sandeep, a Kashmiri Pandit, was in New Delhi for work when he suffered a massive heart attack. He was promptly rushed to the hospital but, unfortunately, could not survive. However, family sources have said that his body will be brought to Jammu for his final rites.
Primarily a hotelier, Chattoo is widely acknowledged for his pivotal role in reinvigorating football in the insurgency-affected Kashmir valley. The inception of RKFC, affectionately known as the ‘Snow Leopards’, dates back to 2016 and is credited to him.
The idea to establish the football club stemmed from the aftermath of the catastrophic floods in 2014, during which Chattoo observed a significant amount of untapped talent, much of which was at risk of getting lost to delinquent activities. Sandeep, survived by his wife, son, and daughter, also owned CH2 Hotel at Sonawar in Srinagar.
Formed in 2016 by Sandeep, RKFC has transcended its role as just a football club, becoming a significant platform for Valley youth. It has actively engaged in promoting local players, sending them to various countries, and competing in top leagues across India. Sandeep’s unwavering commitment to local players has resulted in many individuals from Jammu and Kashmir participating in the country’s premier football leagues. The RKFC is the only club from J&K participating in the I League.
The RKFC staff has conveyed their condolences to the grieving family and prayed for peace to the departed soul. The untimely demise of Chattoo marks a significant loss for the football community, particularly in the context of his pioneering contributions to the sport in the region.
In the ongoing 2023-24 I-League season, RKFC are occupying the second place with six wins, three defeats and two draws after 11 matches. They have so far collected 20 points.
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