Legends of Mumbai Football: Indomitable spirit of Kasif Jamal

Despite facing a career threatening injury even before his professional career began, Kasif Jamal has stood the test of time and destiny to carve out his own mark in Mumbai Football
A product of prestigious Tata Football Academy (TFA), Kasif Jamal’s magical left foot would always be the talking point of whichever game he takes part in.
Born in football loving family, Kasif’s father Abdul Hamid and his elder brothers Asif and Tauseef Jamal were all football players during their time, with the latter even going on to represent the Indian national team. It didn’t take long for Kasif to take up the sport as well. Back in 1990, the then 13 year old Kasif, was selected to train in the Tata Football Academy. However, in the year 1992 tragedy struck for Kasif, when during a practice match in Calcutta, he encountered a serious injury. He was immediately taken to Kothari Hospital in Calcutta where the doctors had to operate on him immediately.
The doctors informed the then TFA Director PK Banerjee, that the kid can no longer play football. This information was kept a secret as PK Banerjee allowed Kasif to stay at TFA and recuperate from his injury. Unknown to the doctor’s advice, for 2 years Kasif Jamal didn’t touch the football and spent his time on gym working and improving on his fitness with sole aim of getting back on the field. Two years later he slowly began practicing and training for the game. When finally he was declared fit to play by medical staff, Director PK Banerjee came up to Kasif and informed him about the doctor’s statement. There was no wonder, what Kasif had done was something magical and inspirational.
Talking about his struggles during the injury, Kasif explains, “One must have a strong will power that is what kept me going back then and even now. During my tough times, PK Banerjee sir had helped and supported me a lot. “
Coming back from the injury, Kasif represented TFA in Chief Minister’s Gold cup in New Delhi. Playing as a striker, Kasif alongside Dipendu Biswas played a stellar role for the team as TFA went on to lift the trophy. In the final against a much fancied opponents Mohammed Sporting, Kasif scored the third and eventual winner for his side as TFA went on to beat the Kolkata club 3-2. The performances brought in a lot of interest from all over the country for Jamal including Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan.
“I practice alongside young generation of footballers and motivate myself to keep my fitness level high for games.”
After graduating from the TFA in 1996 having spent 6 years of his life there, Kasif finally signed for Goan heavyweights Churchill brothers, then coached by Scotsman Danny Mclean. After spending two years with Churchill, Kasif moved back to Mumbai by signing with newly formed Bengal Mumbai FC. Kasif went on to score the club’s first ever goal in their opening game against Mahindra & Mahindra. With BMFC, under the guidance of Iranian Coach Jamshed Nassiri, Kasif Jamal lifted two major trophies in the form of MDFA Super Division as well as Rovers Cup in the same year.
It didn’t take long for the Kolkata Giants to take notice of this young talent as both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal competed for Kasif signature. Ultimately, Kasif decided to go with Mariners. Following his stint with Mohun Bagan, Kasif went on to play for Mohammedan FC next season before joining Central Railways in the year 2001. While at railways, Kasif had loan spells with rival Mumbai club Mahindra & Mahindra and Goan Churchill brothers before finally settling into Central Railways permanently.
Despite being a righty in his everyday actions, Kasif’s magic with his left foot in football has always enthralled viewers. From his technique on passing the ball to his body blocks while shielding the ball, Kasif has remained impeccable. The move to railways (which provides a job security) meant Kasif Jamal ending up played just around a decade of top flight football, although he has been a regular presence in Mumbai league since then. The iconic Cooperage stadium in Mumbai has been witness to many memorable goals from the left footed midfield maestro.
While his TFA batch mates like Renedy Singh, Dipendu Biswas and Kalyan Chaubey have long retired from the game, Kasif still goes strong in the Mumbai Football circuit. Even today at the age of 43, he plays a crucial role for Central Railway – (Mumbai Division) in the team’s MDFA Super Division campaign, “I practice alongside young generation of footballers and motivate myself to keep my fitness level high for games.” Despite his age, Kasif’s energy and his sturdy physical game play is still quite noticeable, with the latter sometime proving quite tough for the young generation to handle. Kasif has also acquired AFC C-licence in coaching and aims to pursue it full time once he calls off his playing career.
For a player, whose playing career was almost over at the age of 16, Kasif Jamal has slogged a long journey in football, proving the doctors wrong, In this cricket crazy city of Mumbai, Kasif Jamal’s tryst with football is quite noteworthy and something that the young generation can take inspiration from.
In this new initiative, Footballcounter aims to bring out more such untold stories of Mumbai football and we request you all to send us your views or stories about the Mumbai football spirit. You can mail us at football@footballcounter.com
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: The Indian National Team refocusing before the big match against Qatar
Also Read: Old but still Gold: Mumbai’s old warhorses can still pull strings on-field
Football Counter would love to hear your thoughts or feedback on your experience: Feedback on Football Counter experience
Rajasthan United rope in Mumbai League’s Top scorer Alister Anthony
The 22 – year old forward with a penchant for goals was one of the standout performers for Ambernath United – Atlanta FC in their title-winning run of MFA Elite…
Coaching his way to success – Ryan Roy Shah
Coach Ryan Roy Shah, who hails from Pune, decided to take an unconventional route in his coaching career, when he alongside his AIFF and AFC certifications, went for UEFA ‘B’…
Tickets for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022™ launched
New Delhi, 05 August 2022: Ticket sales for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022™ was officially launched on 5th August at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi in the presence…
FC Bengaluru United sign Hummel as their official kitting and merchandise partner
Bengaluru, 02 August 2022: FC Bengaluru United have announced that Hummel, a premium sportswear brand, will be their official kitting and merchandise partner for the upcoming 2022 season. The Danish sportswear brand, one of the…
131st Durand Cup Trophy Tour kickstarts in home of defending champions FC Goa
FC Goa take on Mohammedan Sporting in the tournament opener on August 16 Goa, August 2, 2022: The Trophy Tour for the 131st edition of the historic Durand Cup football…
Inter District Championship / WIFA Inter District / Women Football
WIFA Inter District Championship: Bhandara edge Aurangabad 4-3, Gondia, Dhule win big
In a high-scoring tournament opener, Bhandara came from two goals behind to beat Aurangabad 4-3 while Dhule and Gondia kicked off their respective campaign with huge dominating wins WIFA Inter…
Inter District Championship / WIFA Inter District
WIFA Inter District Championship Day 2: Host Palghar Knock Out Amravati; Nagpur Move To Next Round
Riding on a brilliant hat-trick from Tanvi Patil, Host Palghar registered a comprehensive 5-0 win while Gondia and Nagpur move to the next round with comfortable wins. Day 2 of…
Inter District Championship / WIFA Inter District
WIFA Inter District Championship: Mumbai, Kolhapur, Pune, and Nagpur book Semifinal spot
Mumbai win big and Kolhapur knocked out Gondia to book semi-final spots while Pune edged host Palghar by a solitary goal margin. Mumbai rode on Akansha and Valencia’s hat-trick to…
Mumbai City FC complete signing of Jorge Pereyra Díaz
Mumbai, 4 August 2022: Mumbai City FC are delighted to confirm that the club has completed the signing of Jorge Pereyra Díaz. The Argentine centre-forward joins the Islanders on a…
WIFA Inter District / WIFA Women's Championship
WIFA Inter District Championship: Mumbai, Kolhapur Set Up Final Clash
Defending champions Mumbai breezed past Nagpur to reach the final and will now defend their title against Kolhapur who edged past Pune 2-1 in the second semi-final. Two goals on…
OSCAR SSE to conduct trials for Youth I League and YPL team in the U13 category in Mumbai
Mumbai-based OSCAR SSE will conduct trials for their Youth I League and YPL team on 16th and 17th July 2022 at Wings Sports Centre ground. Oscar SSE is a 2-star…
ROQS to host trials for MFA Super Division
ROQS is revamping their squad for the upcoming season of the MFA Super Division. The team is organising trials for the men’s football team on Monday, 11th of July, 2022….
MSP Academy is holding trials for the upcoming MFA Youth League
MFA Super Division club Mumbai Soccer Prodigies will be conducting trials for their MFA Youth League campaign on 22nd May 2022 in Bandra, Mumbai. Founded in 2006, the Mumbai Soccer…
Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Football School of India to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based Football School of India is going to conduct youth trials for its boys and girls squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-13…
Bengaluru FC Elite Youth Football Trials
Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club that competes in the Indian Super League (ISL) and are past champions of the I-League and ISL. The club has launched its Soccer…
D’Souza Football Academy to conduct Youth Trials
Mumbai-based D’Souza Football Academy is going to conduct football scholarship trials for its youth squads. The trials will be conducted for players in the age group of under-7 to under-15….
Oscar SSE to conduct trials for Youth I-League in U13, U15&U18 category in Mumbai
OSCAR SSE, an AIFF Accredited Academy invites all U13, U15 & U18 players from ALL SOCIO-ECONOMIC backgrounds for football trials to join our Elite teams to train round the year…
Elite Division / MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Air India to conduct senior team trials for MFA Elite League on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Senior Team to play the MFA Elite (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India…
MDFA / Mumbai Football / Recommended / Trials
Air India to hold youth team trials on Monday
Mumbai-based Air India FC is set to conduct trials for their Youth Team for the MFA Super (Corporate) Division. One of the top-tier clubs from Mumbai – Air India will…
MDFA / Recommended / Trials
Bhaichung Bhutia’s Residential Academy set to conduct trials in Mumbai
16th March, 2022: Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) will conduct Residential Academy trials in Maharashtra for the academic year 2022-23. In the next few months, the trials will be organized…