No kicks in Kashmir: Stranded players turn to video games and gymReal Kashmir players Armand Bazie (left) and Gnohere Krizo of Ivory Coast talk in their Srinagar hotel restaurant during the coronavirus lockdownSRINAGAR (INDIA) - Stranded by the coronavirus lockdown in one of the world's most militarised regions, Zambia's Aaron Katebe is no longer kicking a football -- he is playing video games or working out in a hotel gym in Indian-administered Kashmir. The foreign imports including Scottish coach David Robertson's son Mason, have helped turn Real Kashmir into a force after becoming the first club from the war-torn Himalayan region to play in the I-League. "So it just shows, that despite football being a big part of my life, when these things happen it doesn't leave anything really." Against the odds, Real Kashmir were title contenders in their first I-League season, but finished third. Real Kashmir's co-owner Sandeep Chattoo, who has also taken up residence in the hotel, said the players are sticking together despite the panic.

Source: Bangkok Post April 12, 2020 02:48 UTC