Sudeep Pakrashi:
Ishfaq Ahmed admits 2024-25 has been the most impressive season for him in his last 10 years of coaching career. Under his tutelage, Real Kashmir had almost ensured their maiden I-League title, finally finishing in second place with 37 points from 22 matches.
Ishfaq bears the frustration opining, “We would have had the last laugh even if we had won our concluding match.” But despite the disappointment, the 42-year-old coach feels proud of the fact that Real Kashmir have been able to produce a footballer today who can get an offer from ISL teams.
“Lalramsanga is joining East Bengal. Mohammed Inam, who was brilliant in the League this season, had already received a three-year offer from Bengaluru FC, but he refused and decided to continue with Real Kashmir for another season. Then our goalkeeper received an offer from Punjab FC. One of our defenders is already among the ongoing under-23 national preparatory camp. The scenario was not there even a few years ago. As a coach I am proud that nowadays Real Kashmir have been producing footballers who are getting offers from ISL teams and that was my mission primarily when I took over the charge of this club,” said Ishfaq while speaking to Parallel Sports.
When asked whether Ramsanga’s prospect with such a popular team like East Bengal, the former under-17 national coach commented, “East Bengal, though a big team, should utilize Ramsanga’s ability. He is calm and technically sound. As a footballer, he is very effective and can deliver his best as even number 8. However, it will depend on the coach that how he utilizes Ramsanga’s ability.”
Significantly, Real Kashmir does not keep any transfer fee clause in its agreement with the footballers. The club had sole mission to promote talented Kashmiri footballers and they have been doing that. But in the future, Real Kashmir might add the clause of transfer fee for their footballers who will be receiving offers from ISL teams.
However, when asked about the senior national team’s recent failure at the Asian level, Ishfaq explained, “I believe we need proper planning and intensity in scouting and promoting the potential generation of footballers. We have a bundle of talents. So, the pool of national footballers during the preparatory camps should have at least 50 potential footballers. I can give an example of Lalrinzuala. He is superb, becoming the top scorer in the I-League consistently for the last three seasons. So, did not he deserve to be in the national camp?”
He made one important advice stating, “You have to start planning and perfect scouting from the age-group level if you want success with the senior national team. You have to follow the model Jordan and Uzbekistan have made.”
His contract with Real Kashmir expired on 31st May although the club has already asked him to renew contract. Ishfaq divulged one of his dreams saying, “If I am with the I-League club, then my mission will be to shape more potential Indian footballers. I will try to instill belief among them that they are equally competitive with the foreigners who are playing in our country.”
