Kashmir has witnessed significant growth in football in recent years. The formation of new clubs like Real Kashmir FC and Lonestar Kashmir FC have played a pivotal role in nursing the young generation of football from the ground level. A number of Kashmiri footballers have made it to the national level, with the number only expected to rise in the coming years.
Let’s take a look at 3 Young Kashmiri footballers to watch out for in the future.
1. Suhail Ahmad Bhat
Suhail Ahmad Bhat is a 19-year-old striker hailing from Kashmir Valley. He caught the eye in a local training camp held in Srinagar and quickly rose to fame ever since. His first professional club came in the form of Indian Arrows which he joined in 2022 and made his debut against Sukhdeva Delhi in the I-League match.
Bhat then made a switch to the Mohun Bagan SG in 2013 where his career took an upward spiral. He scored 17 goals in 16 matches for Mohun Bagan B team. He was then promoted to the senior team where he has made 6 appearances so far.
Bhat received a call-up for the Indian under-16 football team in 2021 and scored on his debut against the United Arab Emirates. He also made 2 appearances for the Indian U-21 side.
Bhat’s talent has seen him attract offers from various ISL clubs. His speed and striker instinct to be at the right place at the right time has earned him a name across Indian football.
Bhat was also named in the list of top 100 players in the world born in 2005 by Guardian.
2. Faizan Waheed
Faizan Waheed is a 17-year-old midfielder who hails from Narkara, Budgam in Kashmir. During his childhood days, he developed at two of the biggest football academies of Kashmir – Sports Football Academy and Sports Council Football Academy. His talent was first recognized by one of the well-known football players from Kashmir, Mehrajuddin Wadoo.
Waheed received a call-up from East Bengal for a selection trial earlier this year earning him a short-term contract with the club’s Under 21 side.
Waheed was also a part of the India U-17 team that lifted the U-17 SAFF Cup. The 17-year-old also made two appearances in the friendly matches against UAE and Uzbekistan.
Waheed has a bright future ahead of him and with the right guidance and development, he can make it big in Indian football.
3. Huzafah Ahmad Dar
Huzafah Ahmad Dar is an 18-year-old midfielder from Kashmir. Dar developed in J&K Bank academy and made a name for himself for terrific ball control and maturity on the pitch. Like Faizan Waheed, Dar was also in India’s U-17 winning squad for the SAFF Championship. He joined Real Kashmir FC in October 2023 and has made 6 appearances for the club so far.
Dar is regarded as one of the brightest talents from Kashmir in modern football. Having already made a mark on the national stage, Dar continues to develop with the Real Kashmir youth team. His dedication and discipline are destined to take him far in his career and it remains to be seen how big an impact he makes in Indian football.
Read More: International football players from Kashmir
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.
