Inter Kashi FC
 | |||
| Full name | Inter Kashi Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Short name | IKFC | ||
| Founded | 29 June 2023 | ||
| Ground | Ekana Football Stadium | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Owner | RDB Group of Companies | ||
| Chairman | Vinod Dugar | ||
| Head coach | Carlos Santamarina | ||
| League | I-League | ||
| 2023–24 | I-League,4th of 13 | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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Inter Kashi Football Clubis an Indian professionalfootballclub based inVaranasi,Uttar Pradesh.The club currently competes in theI-League,the second tier league of theIndian football league system.[1][2]It is the first professional club from the state of Uttar Pradesh to play in a national level league of the country.[3][4]
The club is in collaboration with Spanish clubAtlético Madridand Andorran clubsInter EscaldesandFC Andorra.[1][5]
History[edit]
In May 2023, theAll India Football Federation,the governing body offootball in India,announced they would accept bids for new clubs to join2023–24 I-Leagueseason onwards.[6]On 29 June 2023, it was announced that agreement for the Varanasi franchise had been reached between Kolkata-based RDB Group of Companies and European clubs Atlético Madrid and Inter Escaldes.[7][8]FC Andorra has an association with Inter Escaldes, but does not have any direct role with Inter Kashi. The moniker of "Inter" was added because of the tie up with Inter Escaldes.[9]
The club also announced creation of theAtlético de Bharat Academyfor the development of grassroots football in the state.[10]Spaniard Carlos Santamarina was chosen as the first head coach of the club, while Javier Broch andArata Izumiwere roped in as assistant coach.[11]English footballerPeter Hartleywas the first player signed by the club.[12]
On 28 October 2023, Inter Kashi played their first ever official match againstGokulam Keralain the I-League.Edmund Lalrindikascored the club's first goal, and Mohammed Asif Khan scored the equalizer to earn the maiden point in a 2–2 draw.[13]Their first win came againstNamdharion 6 November 2023.[14]On 21st November, Inter Kashi played their first I-League home match againstMohammedanin theEkana Football StadiuminLucknow.[15]
Club crest and kits[edit]
Crest[edit]
In the Inter Kashi's crest,Tripundra(three horizontal lines on the top of the crest) resemblesLord Shiva'sthreefold power of will (icchāśakti), knowledge (jñānaśakti), and action (kriyāśakti). The graphical image below the club name on the crest portraitstempleof Varanasi.[16]
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors[edit]
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor | Back sponsor | Chest sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–2024[17] | SIX5SIX | Cello | Uttar Pradesh Tourism | RDB Group |
| Nahar Group | ||||
| 2024–present | Hummel | UCO Bank |
Players[edit]
First-team squad[edit]
- As of 26 March 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Management and staff[edit]
Current staff[edit]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Vacant |
| Assistant coaches |  Javier Broch
|
 Arata Izumi
|
Inter Kashi management[edit]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Owner | RDB Group
|
| Chairman | Vinod Dugar
|
| Chief Operations Officer | Bhaskar Basu
|
Seasons[edit]
| Season | League | Tier | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | I-League | II | 4th |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ab"Collaboration agreement in the Inter Kashi project".Club Atletico de Madrid. 29 June 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 29 June 2023.Retrieved29 June2023.
- ^"Inter Kashi eyes Hero I-League entry with strong European backing".The Bridge. 29 June 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 29 June 2023.Retrieved29 June2023.
- ^"Inter Kashi Launched in Partnership With Three European Clubs, Eye I-League Participation".News18.29 June 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 5 September 2023.Retrieved5 September2023.
- ^"Inter Kashi Become Latest Addition To Indian Football, Partner With Famous European Clubs Including Atletico Madrid".English Jagran.Archivedfrom the original on 5 September 2023.Retrieved5 September2023.
- ^"Atletico Madrid re-enter Indian football, partner with RDB Group to form Inter Kashi".Khel Now. 29 June 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 29 June 2023.Retrieved29 June2023.
- ^"AIFF invites bids for new clubs to join Hero I-League 2023-24 season onwards".The AIFF. 5 May 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 20 June 2023.Retrieved29 June2023.
- ^Mergulhao, Marcus (24 July 2023)."AIFF likely to be left with only two new direct entrants in I-League".timesofindia.indiatimes.com.Margao:The Times of India.TNN. Archived fromthe originalon 26 July 2023.Retrieved24 July2023.
- ^Mukherjee, Sayan (8 August 2023)."With only two new corporate teams, AIFF likely to persist with home-away format for I-League".News9live.Archived fromthe originalon 12 August 2023.Retrieved8 August2023.
- ^"Inter Kashi AMA".Reddit. 7 July 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 7 July 2023.Retrieved7 July2023.
- ^"Club Atlético de Madrid - Collaboration agreement in the Inter Kashi project".Club Atlético de Madrid.29 June 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 29 June 2023.Retrieved14 September2023.
- ^Das, Shibashis (4 August 2023)."Arata Izumi becomes the assistant coach of the new entity, Inter Kashi Football Club".footballexpress.in.Archived fromthe originalon 14 September 2023.Retrieved12 September2023.
- ^"We have kept you waiting long enough presenting our FIRST SIGNING — @PeterHartley88!".Inter Kashi Twitter. 1 August 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 2 August 2023.Retrieved1 August2023.
- ^"I-League 2023-24: Inter Kashi bag first points against heavyweights Gokulam Kerala".Khel Now. 28 October 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 29 October 2023.Retrieved29 October2023.
- ^"I-League 2023-24: Inter Kashi secures historic win, Overcoming Namdhari FC 4-2".The Bridge.6 November 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 13 November 2023.Retrieved13 November2023.
- ^"Inter Kashi face Mohammedan SC today".The Times of India.21 November 2023.ISSN0971-8257.Archivedfrom the original on 27 December 2023.Retrieved27 December2023.
- ^The SportsGrail (30 June 2023)."Inter Kashi FC owner, logo, jersey, players, football stadium, coach".The SportsGrail.Archivedfrom the original on 27 December 2023.Retrieved27 December2023.
- ^Saha, Rahul (3 November 2023)."I-league Commercial Guide: A Complete List of the 2023/24 I-League Team Sponsors".sportskhabri.com.Sports Khabri. Archived fromthe originalon 3 November 2023.Retrieved26 September2021.