“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all”
– Jessica Ennis-Hill
Apart from the various benefits to the physical and mental health, sports teach us team spirit, brotherhood and discipline. It helps us to imbibe important qualities like leadership, morality, planning and responsibility. It helps in character and emotional development. Sports also improves communication skills and develops sense of mutual trust and confidence. Since, childhood, I have been fascinated by sports. As a kid I picked up individual sports like badminton and lawn tennis. I always had adequate guidance and support of my parents and teachers as a child and my seniors and instructors as a cadet. I even had all the resources and wherewithal to pursue these sports. I was pretty good at all these sports and always thought that I am passionate for sports. But I wonder why I never had the courage to pursue them as career. Probably, I always had the fear of failing. This made me realise that my passion was just for the sake of enjoyment which I get out of playing these games. This thought helped me to develop an immense amount of admiration for the sportsmen who with constant fear of failure, pursue that single sport for their life. Their passion is the real passion.
The Situation has had a significant impact on sports in Kashmir. Leading to an environmental of insecurity. Resources that might have otherwise been invested in building sports infrastructure and facilities are often directed towards security resources. Isolation of the sports community’s exposure to outside world due to security concerns has hindered the regions’ ability to compete in National and International events. Families have been hesitant to let children to pursue sports due to security concerns. Despite these challenges sports has been a source of hope and resilience in Kashmir. Many sports person of the valley have achieved success in National and International Levels. They have demonstrated the potential for sports to transcend the conflict and provide a positive outlet for individuals.
Who doesn’t know about the India’s pace bowling sensation Umran Malik who hails from Gujjar Nagar in Jammu. The inspiring story of the India’s fastest bowler who hails from a very humble background has inspired numerous youths not only from Jammu & Kashmir but the entire nation. The Indian Premier League, all-rounder Abdul Samad of Kalakote village in Kashmir is a role model for young aspiring cricketers in Jammu & Kashmir. But how many of us know about Sadia Tariq, the 15-year-old athlete who won a gold medal for India at the Moscow Wushu Stars Championship or Owais Sarwar, the first Wushu player from Kashmir to win a medal at the National Games or Tajamul Islam, the 13-year-old girl who won gold in the World Kick Boxing Championship at Cairo. Even if we know about them or have read about their achievement, we might not be able to recognise them in person.
Through, the medium of this article I wish to highlight the inspiring stories of some of these young athletes of Jammu & Kashmir, who have made India proud and present to the readers the rich and unique culture of sports in Jammu & Kashmir.Sadia Tariq hails from Bemina in Srinagar District. After winning consecutive gold medals in the 19th and 20th Junior National Championship, Sadia won a gold medal in the Moscow Wushu Stars Championship in Feb 2022 she participated in the event during the on-going Ukraine Russia conflict. In a situation where the internet services were shut down in Moscow and with no contact with family members for motivational words, she pulled herself together, remained brave and won a medal for India. Owais Sarwar of Srinagar, created history in 2022 by becoming the first Kashmiri Wushu player to win a medal in the National Games. In the 36th national games held in Gujrat, Kashmiri Wushu players bagged a total of one gold, one silver and four bronze medals. The athlete despite suffering injuries before commencement of the National Games and during his matches won a bronze medal. He now aims to achieve international success and make Jammu &Kashmir proud. Ayeera Chisti, the “Wushu Wonder Kid” from Kashmir valley is the first girl from Jammu & Kashmir to win a medal at the prestigious World Junior Wushu Championship held in Banten Indonesia. For this 11th class student from Srinagar, it’s just the beginning of the many laurels she is yet to achieve in Wushu.
Amir Hussain Lone the Armless Cricketer from Bijbehara village in Jammu & Kashmir lost his hands at the age of 8 years due to his family’s Sawmill. The Captain of the Jammu & Kashmir Para Cricket Team, might have lost his hands but his courage and the passion for the game kept on growing. The cricketer bats by putting his bat between his neck and chin & bowls with his legs. Danish Manzoor, an aspiring Taekwondo player form Baramulla is an ambassador for the ministry of “Youth Affairs and Sports” Fit India Movement. The story of the young athlete is challenging but inspiring. He took up the sport after watching combat sports in Bruce Lee Films. Growing in a trouble torn Kashmir with lack of training facilities, it was difficult for him to attend practice sessions. He trained at home, kicking in flip flops instead of pads. He grabbed a silver medal in the All-India Open Senior National Federation Championship in 2016. Coming from a humble background the player was unable to secure a sponsorship for the same. Social media came to the rescue where his social media post requesting for a sponsorship got him one from Help Foundation, a Jammu & Kashmir based NGO. The player aspires to represent India in the Olympics, in a sport category where the country has not been able to qualify till now.
Bilal Ahmad Dar, is the only International Cyclist from Jammu & Kashmir. The athlete who hails from Budgam has represented the country in international events has won a silver and bronze medal at the Aisa Junior Championship 2019 and two silver medals in the Aisa Cup 2018. The cyclist aspires to represent India in the Olympics. Adil Manzoor Peer a resident of Halmatpora village in Kupwara, the captain of Jammu & Kashmir Ice Stock Sport State team since 2018 won Three gold medals in the second edition of Khelo Indian National Winter Games. The athlete represented India in the 12th Ice Stock World cup held in Austria and attained 10th rank. Tajamul Islam, the 14-year-old Kick Boxer from Tarkpora village in Bandipora District is famous for being the youngest World Kick Boxing Champion. The athlete has won a gold medal in the under 8 category of the World Kick Boxing Championship 2016 and under 14 category of the World Kick Boxing Championship 2021. A student of the Army Goodwill School, Tarkpora, her national talent was recognised at the age of 8 years. Due to lack of training infrastructure, her coach uses to train her in open fields during bone chilling winters on a make shift arrangement.
Apart from these young and brilliant sports person, Jammu & Kashmir being the hub of winter sports alongwith sports like Golf, Water Sports, Ice Stack Sports and Adventure Sports. Gulmarg has hosted the National Winter Games in 1996, 2004, 2009 and in 2023. In the first Khelo India Winter Games 2020 held in Leh & Gulmarg, Jammu & Kashmir won the most medals (26 gold, 24 silver & 21 bronze) followed by Indian Army Team who came second with 8 gold medals. Jammu & Kashmir again topped the medal tally in the Secord & third edition held in 2022 & 2023. Although sports like Cricket, Volleyball and Football remain popular in Jammu & Kashmir, the youth of Jammu & Kashmir continue to ignore the glory and fandom of these popular sports and follow their passion to purse these unconventional sports despite the lack of training infrastructure, coaching staff and guidance. The print media and the local media has been on the forefront covering their struggles and achievements. You might not find these players endorsing your favourite brand on television, you might not find them boarding in first class for the sport events, or being chased by fans and media when they go to public places. But their struggle and achievement, if not more is no less than the sports person we follow and celebrate in the country. The least we can do is to try to follow them and their story on social media, cheer for them when they play and thank them for their contribution to the nation.
