Ranjit Thakur
JAMMU, Dec 6: The football team of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) is on the brink of something truly special. After years of striving, they’ve made it to the final round of the 78th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy 2024-2025, set to take place in Hyderabad on December 14. Their remarkable journey to this stage is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and unwavering spirit.
Placed in Group A, J&K will face off against strong contenders, including host Telangana, the record 32-time champions West Bengal, Rajasthan, Manipur, and Services—the defending champions. However, the J&K team isn’t intimidated.
The J&K team has shown impressive form so far, remaining unbeaten in the group stage, where they competed alongside Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Punjab. They are now ready for the challenge ahead, with their first match scheduled against West Bengal at Deccan Arena Artificial Turf Stadium.
Currently, the team is undergoing an intense training camp at the Mini Football Stadium Parade, Jammu, under the guidance of internationally renowned footballer Mehraj-Ud-Din Wadoo and J&K Sports Council’s Chief Coach Satpal Singh. The team is focused on maintaining their high performance and preparing to compete with the best teams in the country.
Aqib Rishi, captain of the team, stated, “We’ve had a 21-day training camp earlier, and now we are in the second phase of our camp. We are fully prepared and aiming for glory this time.”
Goalkeeper Nirdosh added, “This year, we are not just participating; we are aiming to win the Santosh Trophy. We have given everything in our preparation over the past three months.”
The team’s coach, Mehraj-Ud-Din Wadoo, also highlighted the importance of the training camps and praised the facilities provided by J&K Sports Council. He acknowledged the growing football culture in Kashmir but noted that Jammu has yet to fully develop its football infrastructure despite having great potential.
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