I-League debutants Real Kashmir Football Club Monday pulled off a major sponsorship coup by signing up with sportswear giant Adidas for the upcoming national season.
The two-year-old Srinagar-based side, which won the second division league to become the first club from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the top-tier I-League, the association with Adidas is significant.
No other football club -- big or small -- has an association with a global brand like Adidas in Indian football.
Though the financial nitty-gritty of the deal is not known, Adidas will be the official kit partners of Real Kashmir in the I-League which begins on October 26.
"It is a momentous day for Real Kashmir. Such a big brand coming to support us as official partner is an achievement in itself. No other club has Adidas as sponsor but we have got it," club co-owner Shamim Meraj told PTI.
Asked how this association came through, he said, "We wanted a big sponsor and they (Adidas) must have their reasons to be with us. It is not a case of one chasing the other or putting pressure on the other. I think things in a natural way conspire to happen this for a good cause."
"The first match against defending champions Minerva Punjab will be a huge match, our debut. Then we play Churchill Brothers for the first time at home, that will be the first I-League match in Kashmir. These two matches will be historic. After these two matches, I will be able to know how good is my side and then I can plan for the remaining I-League."