SRINAGAR: Downtown Heroes FC has honoured its former academy player Azim Parvez for what the club described as a historic achievement for Jammu and Kashmir football, after he played a role in India’s South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup victory and the team’s qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2026 to be held in Saudi Arabia.
Azim, who came through the Downtown Heroes FC Academy’s grassroots system, has become one of the most prominent footballers to emerge from the region in recent years. The club said his journey from local training grounds in Srinagar to earning a place in the national squad represents a powerful message of discipline, hard work and opportunity for young athletes across the Valley.
Speaking at the felicitation, the club leadership said Azim’s rise stands as a validation of the training pathways developed under the Downtown Heroes FC structure. “Azim’s success is a testament to the power of opportunity and perseverance. To see a player who trained within our academy structure reach the biggest stages of Asian football is truly a proud moment for the entire Downtown Heroes FC family,” the club said.
Club chairman Irfan Shahmiri said the achievement underlines the club’s long-term goal of preparing Kashmiri youth for professional careers in sport. He said every milestone achieved by local players reinforces the belief that Kashmir can become a strong contributor to India’s footballing talent pool.
The club reiterated that it will continue investing in youth development programmes, strengthening training systems and expanding opportunities for aspiring players to take their skills from local leagues to national and international platforms.
Downtown Heroes FC extended its congratulations to Azim Parvez for what it called a landmark accomplishment for both the club and Jammu and Kashmir. The club said it hopes his continued presence in the national team will inspire more young players to pursue football as a viable professional path.
