KD News Desk
Bandipora, Sep 26: A week of football, competition and sporting camaraderie came to an end on Saturday as the Maj Gopi Singh Rathore, SC Memorial North Kashmir Football Premier League concluded with 68 teams having competed across North Kashmir.
Organised by the Indian Army, the tournament was conducted across four venues — Bandipora, Uplona, Kigaon and Sopore — providing players with an opportunity to compete at the grassroots level and showcase their talent.
The final was played between Hashmi Football Club and Kulhama FC, with Hashmi Football Club emerging victorious 3–1 to lift the Maj Gopi Singh Rathore Memorial North Kashmir Football Premier League title. The final was attended by Bandipora Deputy Commissioner Indu Kanwal Chib, SSP Bandipora Ajaz Zargar, the Commandant of 14 Rashtriya Rifles, and other civil and security officials, besides football enthusiasts and supporters.
The top two teams from each venue have qualified for the Mega Football Championship, which will be held in Bandipora from November 9 to 13, 2026.
Players participating in the tournament appreciated the Indian Army for organising such competitions and said platforms of this kind give young footballers opportunities to develop their skills, gain competitive experience and pursue the sport more seriously.
One player said such tournaments provide young athletes with exposure beyond regular local matches and help them understand the importance of teamwork and discipline.
Another participant said the opportunity to compete against teams from different areas encourages young players to improve and gives emerging footballers a platform to demonstrate their abilities.
The tournament also sought to promote teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship among North Kashmir’s youth through competitive football.
With eight teams now through to the next stage, attention will turn to the Mega Football Championship in November, where the qualifying sides will compete for the tournament title.
