The I-League 2024-25 season is set to begin on November 22, with last year’s debutants, Inter Kashi, poised to make an impact as they aim for promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL). After an impressive fourth-place finish in their inaugural season, this team from Uttar Pradesh has positioned itself as one of the strongest contenders.
For this season, Inter Kashi will play from Bengal, with their stadium in Uttar Pradesh still under construction. Dr Vinod Dugar, founder of the RDB Group and owner of the club, shared his expansive vision for Inter Kashi, with a focus on contributing meaningfully to Indian football.
The Inter Kashi squad is balanced and competitive, featuring experienced players like Narayan Das, Deepak Devrani, Arindam Bhattacharya, Rakshit Dagar and others. Former Mohun Bagan forward Joni Kauko, a significant asset, adds firepower under the guidance of head coach Antonio Lopez Habas – a duo previously tried and tested in Indian football. Emerging talents, including forward Edmund Lalrindika, who debuted for the national team recently, are also set to make their mark.
However, Dr Dugar’s goals for the club extend beyond immediate success. “Our ultimate aim is to create a team which supplies players to the national team,” he explained. “We already had a player represent the national team. There will be more.”
In a recent milestone, Inter Kashi launched its women’s team, a step few other Indian clubs have taken so proactively. “When we researched in different parts of UP, we saw many young girls willing to play, but without having enough scope,” said Dugar. He acknowledged the prevalent commitment to women’s empowerment, saying, “We can see that India’s political class is vocal on women’s empowerment and women’s sports, so why shouldn’t we be a part of it?”
Dugar also emphasised Inter Kashi’s grassroots investment to create an ecosystem geared towards supplying talent for the national team, both men and women. Choosing Kashi as the club’s home base in Uttar Pradesh was strategic. “The main aim of choosing Kashi was the population of the state,” he explained. “UP’s huge population will allow us a huge fan base and a large pool of young players to choose from – if nurtured properly.”
The Inter Kashi Project is further strengthened by partnerships with clubs like Atletico de Madrid, FC Andorra, and Inter Escaldes. Once the Kashi-based facilities are operational, the project is expected to gain momentum. “You can sense that Inter Kashi is here to stay!” said Dugar confidently.
The hiring of Habas aligns with this long-term vision. “When we first approached him and presented him our vision, he was ready in an instant,” Dugar remarked, appreciating Habas’ commitment to the club’s goals.
Regardless of whether Inter Kashi ascends to the ISL after this season or not, Dugar’s vision is based on ensuring that the club is around to shape Indian football’s future. He closed on a high note, reflecting Kashi’s spiritual heritage: “As Kashi is one of the most religious places in India, we’re here to promote sports as the biggest religion for mankind, and a better India.”