Srinagar-based football club, Downtown Heroes FC, has confirmed its participation in the upcoming 132nd edition of Durand Cup. The tournament, organized by the Indian Army, will take place in four cities: Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, and Kokrajhar. It's the first time that Shillong in Meghalaya and Kokrajhar in Assam will host the century-old tournament.
Downtown Heroes FC will likely be placed in Group D, along with newly promoted I-League team Shillong Lajong FC, FC Goa, and hosts Northeast United FC. All Group D matches will be held in Kokrajhar, Assam.
Downtown Heroes FC is a football club based in the downtown area of Srinagar, Kashmir. It was established in 2020 with the primary goal of providing Kashmiri youth an opportunity to pursue football as a career. In 2021, the team participated in the inaugural Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JAKFA) league. In that league, which featured eight teams, Downtown Heroes FC secured the third position, finishing just below J&K Bank Ltd and Hyderya FC.
In the last edition of the tournament, the Srinagar-based team made their debut in the second division. They were placed in Group A alongside Jagat Singh Palahi FC, Techtro Swades United FC, Mumbai City FC Reserves, and Delhi FC, who eventually won the tournament and qualified for the upcoming I-League season.
The debutants performed well, finishing second in the group behind Delhi FC with 14 points. They secured four wins, two draws, and had two losses in eight games. Although they missed out on qualifying for the final round, Downtown Heroes FC left a mark in Indian football with their impressive performance.
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Hilal Rasool Parray is a prominent figure in Kashmir football, well-known for his coaching expertise. The 47-year-old has previously managed J&K Bank and served as the head coach for another Kashmiri team, Lonestar FC, before joining Downtown Heroes FC. He also had a brief association with Jamshedpur FC's reserve side.
Under the guidance of Hilal Rasool Parray, the Kashmiri side aims to make an impact in the Durand Cup in Kokrajhar. They will be facing teams from higher divisions in the Indian football pyramid and are determined to leave a lasting impression with their performance.
Some players from the second division squad may not be available for the tournament, so the club plans to select a squad made up of local players for the upcoming Durand Cup. This decision aims to provide an opportunity for young talents in the region to showcase their skills.
While the club may not cause any upsets if other teams field their full-strength squads, the tournament will be a valuable experience for the young players from the Kashmir Valley. It will offer them exposure and a chance to gain valuable insights into higher-level football.
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