Rain fails to dampen football spirit as synthetic turf keeps game on
Srinagar, Jul 15: In a region where weather has often played spoilsport for outdoor sports, the ongoing Kashmir Super League (KSL) 2025 is defying the odds. Despite intermittent showers in Srinagar and elsewhere over the past few days, with further rain forecast for the next few days, matches of the football league have gone ahead uninterrupted at synthetic turf at the TRC Ground in Srinagar.
Unlike traditional grass fields that become muddy and unplayable during rainfall, the synthetic turf surface has emerged as a game changer.
“Earlier, when it used to rain or the weather turned adverse, matches used to get cancelled. But now, because of this synthetic turf, the games are going on smoothly,” said Mushtaq Bashir, founder of Downtown Heroes FC. “This turf is very important for the geographical area where we live. It can be used in winter as well as during the monsoon. Europe has a similar climate, and they use the same kind of infrastructure, so it is just as important for us too.”
Bashir further added that such facilities were gradually expanding across the Valley. “The government has already introduced synthetic turfs in Baramulla, Ganderbal, and other districts. Some are ready and just awaiting inauguration. Right now, this one at TRC Ground is the main operational one in Srinagar, but others will soon be active too.”
He said that the synthetic turf, laid a few years ago under a government-sponsored sports infrastructure initiative, is designed to meet all-weather standards and is built to FIFA guidelines. It is not just helping organisers maintain the schedule but also giving players a consistent surface to play high-intensity football regardless of the weather conditions.
“We are not worried about the rains anymore,” said a football team manager. “The turf gives us an edge. It allows fans to enjoy uninterrupted matches and boosts confidence among teams that their games won’t be called off last minute.”
This feature has come as a huge relief for the fans as well. With people thronging the venue and thousands watching online through live streams, the ability to conduct matches on time has enhanced the credibility and appeal of the league.
The weatherproof nature of the surface is not just helping with this season’s fixtures but is also setting the tone for a future where football in Kashmir can run on a predictable calendar, something cricket in the Valley still struggles with due to ground saturation during rains.
