International football players from Kashmir

Football has been a popular sport in the valley of Kashmir for a very long time. Kashmir has given rise to some of the most talented football players that have represented India at the international level. Despite challenges, the youth of Kashmir have embraced football and made it a part of their life.

Today let us take a look at International football players from Kashmir who have represented India at the highest level.

Mehrajuddin Wadoo

Mehrajuddin Wadoo started playing football at the age of 8 thanks to his father Mohd Sultan Wadoo, who was a well-known footballer for J&K. Starting his career as a forward, Wadoo gained his fame as a defender at JK Police.

He then made a move to India’s premier football league, the I League, where he played for HAL, ITI, Sporting Goa, Mohun Bagan, and East Bengal. He also represented Chennaiyin and Mumbai City in the ISL. He helped Chennaiyin to win their first-ever ISL trophy in 2015.

Wadoo has also had the honor of representing his country at the highest level. He made his debut in 2005. He made a total of 32 appearances for the Blue Tigers scoring 2 goals in the process.

After hanging his boots as a player, Wadoo switched to a managerial role. He has managed Pune City U18, Hyderabad FC (Assistant coach), Sudeva Delhi (Caretaker Manager), Real Kashmir, Mohammedan and Chitwan FC.

Currently, he is associated with J&K Sports Council, training young footballers around the valley.

Shafi Nari

Shafi Nari started his football career in 1970 at Court Road Club and then moved on to Young Lalchowk. In 1974 Mr. Nari joined J&K SRTC where he established himself as one of the best footballers of J&K.

In 1977, he received his first international call-up to represent Indian Junior National Team. In 1982 he joined the J&K police team. He represented J&K 17 times in the Santosh trophy which is the most by any J&K player.

He retired from football in 1993 but the Department of Police, for his success and achievements, appointed him as the Coach of the J&K Police Team till 2001. He submitted his career in the development of grassroots football in Kashmir and has trained hundreds of young Kashmiri footballers who are willing to achieve their dream of becoming a professional football player.

Ishfaq Ahmed

Ishfaq Ahmed was born in the Barbar Shah locality in Srinagar. He started his football career as a midfielder at the YMCA, a local football club. Satpal Singh, who was Ahmed’s coach at YMCA played an important role in his career. After his career at the YMCA, he joined the J&K Bank football team.

He soon caught the attention of I League clubs and played for the likes of Dempo, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and Kerala Blasters. After good performances for Dempo, Ahmed was called for India’s U23 side for an Olympic qualifier.

After retiring as a player, he started his managerial career at Kerala Blasters and then joined Jamshedpur FC. He made a return to Kerala Blasters as their assistant coach last season. Currently, he serves as a head coach for his local team Real Kashmir FC in the I-league.

Khursheed Baba

Khursheed Baba was born into a football family with his father Ghulam Muhammad Baba and uncle Ghulam Nabi Baba both being top footballers of the state.

Baba played for JK Police FC and is another known name to have represented India at the international level. After retirement, he served as a chief selector at the local club KMD Muhammedan. 

Mohammad Yousuf Dar

Mohammad Yousuf Dar started his playing career in the early 70s for Kolkata club Mohammedan Sporting Club. He played as a striker and was a defender’s nightmare due to his physicality and agility. He is the longest-serving player for J&K in the Santosh trophy having played in the competition for 15 years.

He also represented India in the late 1970s, becoming among the first Kashmiri players to represent their nation at the international level.

He is still regarded as one of the finest football players in Kashmir. After his retirement from football, he served as the Managing Director of the J&K RTC.

Yousuf Dar’s son Sajid Dar is also a well-known football player and has coached the Indian National Women’s Football team. 

Abdul Majeed Kakroo

Abdul Majeed Kakroo started his career at Road Transport Corporation (RTC). Playing as a striker, he quickly gained stardom thanks to his knack of scoring goals. He represented J&K in the Santosh trophy where his performance earned him a move to East Bengal.

After a successful stint at East Bengal, he joined Mohun Bagan and became one of the highest-paid footballers in the country.

He represented India for 8 years. His performance in the 1984 Asian Games helped him to become the first Kashmiri player to captain the National team. In 1987, India won the gold medal in the South Asian Games with Kakroo playing an important role in the team.

Danish Farooq

Danish Farooq started his footballing career with Chinar Valley FC as a midfielder and joined JK Bank FC at the age of 13. His performances at JK Bank FC earned him a move to Lone Star FC which was the best football club in Kashmir at that time.

He stacked up impressive numbers at the Lone Star which led to him signing for another emerging football club of Kashmir, Real Kashmir FC. It didn’t take Farooq long to become one the most important team players as he led Real Kashmir to promotion to the I-League. After scoring 10 goals in 62 appearances for his local side, he made a move to ISL giants Bengaluru FC.

The move did not go as planned as he scored only 4 goals in 2 seasons resulting in him making a switch to Kerala Blasters immediately. He scored his first goal for the club against Indian Air Force. His first goal in the league came against Mumbai City, in a 2–1 loss. He has scored 2 goals so far for the Blasters in 16 appearances.

Igor Štimac gave Danish Farooq his international debut. He was called up for a friendly against Bahrain on 23 March 2022, which India eventually lost 2-1