Downtown Heroes FC has reached a significant milestone, with six of its standout players earning a spot to represent Jammu & Kashmir in the esteemed 78th Santosh Trophy.
Shahmeer Tariq, Arun Nagial, Aditya Mahajan, Musaib Mushtaq, Sahil Rashid, and Moomin Bhat have earned the prestigious honor of representing Jammu and Kashmir in the 78th Santosh Trophy, showcasing their skill and underscoring DHFC’s contribution to developing India’s future football talent.
This selection comes on the back of DHFC’s impressive performances in recent tournaments like the Durand Cup and I-League 3, where the club set new benchmarks for emerging talent. With two teams progressing to the I-League 3 playoffs, DHFC has cemented its reputation as a hub of growth, resilience, and excellence in Indian football.
Six Downtown Heroes FC Players Selected for J&K in 78th Santosh Trophy
DHFC is thrilled to announce that six of its exceptional players Shahmeer Tariq, Arun Nagial, Aditya Mahajan, Musaib Mushtaq, Sahil Rashid, and Moomin Bhat @JKSportsCouncil @IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/kubpwnvThv
— Downtown Heroes FC ⚽️ (@DowntownHFC) November 11, 2024
“This is a historic moment for Downtown Heroes FC and Jammu and Kashmir. Our players’ hard work and the team’s dedication have brought us here,” said DHFC Chairman Irfan Shahmiri. “We are proud to contribute to the legacy of JK football and look forward to our players shining on the national stage.”
“Downtown Heroes FC thanks the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Jammu & Kashmir Football Association & J&K Sports Council for their invaluable support and remains committed to transforming football in J&K, inspiring countless young athletes,” he added.
The 2024-25 Santosh Trophy is set to deliver another thrilling edition with the tournament scheduled to start on November 15, 2024. The 78th edition of the competition will be held across 8 different venues throughout the country.
Santosh 2024-25 Format
The Santosh Trophy 2024-25 will follow a round-robin format in the group stage, with each team facing every other team in their group once. The winners of each group will progress to the final round. The draw for the final round of the Santosh Trophy 2024-25 is scheduled for November 30, 2024.
In the final round, 12 teams will be split into two groups, A and B. The top four teams from each group will move on to the knockout stages, which will include quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final. The group stage matches will be held at eight different venues across the country, while the final round will be hosted in Telangana.
Services are the defending champions, having triumphed over Goa with a 1-0 victory in the 2023-24 final. West Bengal remains the most decorated team in the history of the tournament, with 32 titles to their name.
Santosh 2024-25: J&K’s group and fixtures
Jammu and Kashmir have been drawn in Group A alongside Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Punjab. The valley side will start its tournament against Punjab on November 20 followed by Himachal Pradesh on 22 November. J&K will play their final group game on 24 Nov against neighbors Ladakh.
Read More: Downtown Heroes FC: The Rise of Kashmir’s Community Club
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
