Srinagar, Aug 29: At a special ceremony held at TRC Ground, Srinagar the same turf where last season’s final drew the largest football crowd the Valley has ever seen, reviving the football culture Kashmir was once famous for the official jerseys of all six Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League franchises and the coveted KSL trophy were unveiled on Friday, a day ahead of National Sports Day.
The timing had punch to it. Barely 24 hours earlier, nearly 200 footballers had gone under the hammer in Season 2’s player auction, with all six franchises completing their squads.
Today, those same squads got the shirts they’ll wear into battle and their first look at the trophy every one of them is chasing, including Season 1 champions United Elegant FC, back to defend the title they won in a penalty shootout thriller.
Senior government officials, sporting administrators, franchise owners, corporate partners and football stakeholders packed the ceremony, underlining how far football in Jammu & Kashmir has come and how central the corporate sector has become to giving the region’s young talent a real stage.
The jerseys and trophy were jointly unveiled by Satish Sharma, Hon’ble Minister for Sports, J&K; Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services & Sports; Nuzhat Gul, Secretary, J&K Sports Council; and Wasim Ahmed Khan, Chief of Sales & Customer Relations, Khyber Cement.
Speaking on Khyber Cement’s larger vision and its association with the league, Umar Tramboo, Director Corporate & Strategy, Khyber Cement, said: “At Khyber Cement, we believe that the true measure of growth is not only how far a company moves forward, but how many people and communities it takes forward with it. Our association with the Kashmir Super League reflects this belief.”
Wasim Ahmed Khan, Chief of Sales & Customer Relations, Khyber Cement, added: “The Kashmir Super League gives us an opportunity to connect with the people of Jammu & Kashmir through something that inspires genuine passion and pride. As a brand that has grown alongside the region, Khyber Cement is committed to initiatives that create meaningful engagement. Season 2 is a step forward in that journey.”
The first season didn’t just fill the stands it changed trajectories. Aazim Parvez and Abrar Ali, two of Season 1’s Emerging Player award winners, have since been called up to the India Under-17 national team camp: real proof that a league built to develop athletes is already doing exactly that.
Season 2 is built to push further six competitive franchises, a stronger player pool, and growing corporate backing aimed at giving young footballers across Jammu & Kashmir an even bigger stage.
Beyond the scoreline, the league carries a wider purpose. Khyber Cement continues to back the belief that sport builds more than athletes it builds discipline, teamwork, leadership, resilience and a sense of community among young people.
Landing a day before National Sports Day, today’s unveiling carried weight beyond marking the start of another season. It stood as a shared statement from government, sporting institutions, corporate partners and the wider community of intent to keep building a stronger sporting culture in Jammu & Kashmir.
Six teams are geared up. The trophy is on full display. And the defending champions know exactly who’s coming for them. Khyber Cement Kashmir Super League Season 2 is ready to begin its next chapter one built on local talent, community participation and the spirit of the game.
