Religion, culture, and tradition may divide the state of Jammu Kashmir but they are united by sports!
The powerful tool of sports has prevented the youth from joining militant groups. The J&K Government had established Youth Service and Sports Department (YS&S) and J&K State Sports Council (JKSSC) to provide proper infrastructure for sports in J&K. Even with the political unrest in the valley, 60,000 youngsters participated in various sports through the sporting council in 2015. In the financial year 2016-2017, participation increased by over 1,00,000. Following the arrest of former-sports Secretary, Waheed Ur Rehman Para in July 2018 and the dissolution of JKSSC, there was a tragic decline in the number of youth participants. Moreover, due to the absence of ground zero sporting activities from 5th August 2019, many youths were forced to reconsider their dream of becoming professional athletes. However, few athletes did make a mark in their respective sports.
Asif Aziz
The youth from Puwasa district of South Kashmir bagged a gold medal in the Winter games of Khelo India 2021 for his phenomenal performance in skiing.
Asif Aziz in front of the track in Gulmarg (picture courtesy: 5DariyaNews)
He has won many medals in snow ski competitions; this was his third gold medal in alpine skiing. He had even participated in Senior National Alpine Ski Championship which was held in Manali and Auli in the year 2019 and 2020 respectively. In a short interview with 5 Dariya News, he encouraged the youngsters to take part in adventure sports.
Shabir Ahmad
He is the first Kashmiri to represent India in Kho Kho Ultimate league in 2021. Hailing from the Budgam district of Central Kashmir, his team Chetah secured the 2nd Runners up position in Ultimate League at Manav Rachna International Institute Faridabad, Haryana on 16th January 2021.
Shabir Ahmad with the prizes he won in Haryana (picture courtesy: 5DariyaNews)
Back in 2013, his elder brother, who is a PE teacher at a Government school; noticed his running speed and insisted him to join Kho Kho. Back then, he loved playing cricket; but now, he has dedicated his life to Kho Kho. Along with his brother, he runs an academy to train the youth in Kho Kho. (Kho Kho is a traditional Indian sport that is widely played across South Asia, South Africa, and England. In this game, 9 players sit on their knees and the 3 members avoid being touched by the opponent)
Ishrat Rasheed
She is the first International specially-abled female basketball player from the valley. She was paralyzed after meeting with an accident in 2016; she fell from the second floor of her house and suffered a spinal injury that restricted her movement. She couldn't go anywhere without a wheelchair!
Ishrat Rasheed (picture courtesy: 5DariyaNews )
She had never played basketball before the accident. She decided to join the specially-abled basketball team after watching some boys play basketball in a wheelchair. Coming from a poor family, she didn't even imagine that she'll be able to make it to international events. She greatly praises 52 RR Wing of the Indian Army for helping her achieve this feat. Her story has inspired many specially-abled girls in Kashmir to take up basketball.
The Khelo India initiative to organise winter games in Gulmarg can be seen as a commendable step to increase the participation of Indian athletes in the winter Olympics. In the coming years, we might even witness players from Jammu and Kashmir making it to the Asian and Olympic Games but the main aim of the sporting body should be to separate political turmoil from sports, or else many talents would be lost!
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