Opinion | Young Athletes Making Kashmir Proud

The Indian Army made significant efforts to revive sports in Kashmir during a period of violence when the youth were frustrated and caught in turmoil and radicalization.

Kashmir, encompasses immense beauty in its terrain, ethnic and cultural heritage and a dynamic political territory. It has also come to embrace a new demographic in the form of young athletes who are making their mark on national as well as international maps. But, these young persons of the region have made their place among the sports and today are performing very well and making the Valley of Kashmir proud. Kashmir has always been in news for its sheer strength and that is evident in its athletes. Although these Young athletes are fully aware of the tough reality: political turbulence, economic crises, etc. they are overcoming all the obstacles and presenting themselves as hard-working, talented, and fair-playing sportspersons. These accomplishments of famous talented athletes make people of Kashmir proud.

Recent decades saw a rising trend of sports in Kashmir and on top, Cricket has long been the leading sport of the Kashmiris, and sports have been a lifelong aspect of the people of Kashmir. But a diverse cross-section of other sporting disciplines has emerged over the same period such as football, basketball, athletics and even as far as skiing to judo. The youth in the region are now using sports as part of a channeling activity where they are given a purpose, training and opportunities away from their region. The actions made by the government in the sphere of developing sports, as well as the growth of the necessary facilities, have provided these athletes with an opportunity to develop. Even today the facilities of training and necessary equipment are scarce in many parts of Kashmir but the zeal and ambition of these young sports stars has made them come out of their way. Most have had to practice from wherever they could get or wherever circumstances had placed them but the passion they have had for their careers have helped them succeed in the best way possible.

Tajamul Islam, a two-time world kickboxing champion from Bandipora, Kashmir, achieved her first sub-junior title at just 7 years old and later clinched the under-14 championship in Cairo. Supported by the Indian Army, she not only excels in her sport but also empowers over 700 students, predominantly girls from her district, through kickboxing training, inspiring a new generation.

Another Prime personality of this series is Shahnaz Parveen a footballer who doesn’t only play football at the high level but is also establishing ways through which other young girls can play this game. Currently, she plays at the state and national levels and serves as a reference for a struggling female athlete. Football has been known as a man’s playground, but today, many females are coming out to play football with some like Shahnaz.
One of the promising and talented youngest basketball players of kashmir is Bilal Ahmad Dar who has also got recognition at national level. Bilal has been playing in national level championships regularly, and has also played for Jammu and Kashmir in inter state tournaments. His performance, commitment and hard work has fetched him honours and he has projected himself as a future icon in Basketball in India.

Along with soccer, judo is another sport that has felt the burgeoning interest from the youth in Kashmir. Srinagar born Adeel shah a youth juduka has really improved in the game. From multiple gold medals in judo at the state level Adeel is now an up and coming star of India judo. His training which has mostly been conducted under adverse circumstances because of lack of equipment has not deterred him and he has made it big. Adeel’s success has gone a long way in sensitisation of youth in the disposal of judo and many young children in Kashmir are now attending judo academies in order to be like him.
Likewise, martial arts have found a big audience and many new generations of kashmiri athletes are showing great performance in different martial art forms like karate and taekwondo. This is despite conditioning factors that suggest that athletes from that area would require the professional coaching and nurturing that high impact sports require and deserve. However, due to determination and hard work only, many young martial artists have featured in state as well as national championships representing Kashmir at large.

This is the legacy of Skiing and other winter sports. Established as the best site for winter sports in the part from their snow capped mountains many young talents are developing and are being given a platform to perform at international level. One such athlete that made her fame by skiing for India is Aasiya Naqash who is a young kashmiri skier. Skiing skill that she has been training in the slopes of Gulmarg has placed her in national level ski events. She has associated with the Indian Skiing Team and yes, a huge delight for fellow Kashmiris considering the fact that pertaining to Skiing or any winter games, facilities in Kashmir are severely lacking. The success of Aasiya is special as this represents a rich history of winter sports infrastructures in the Kashmir valley. Since skiing forms a substantial component of tourism in the region, performances like those of Aasiya bring into light this facet of skiing, capable of producing able young Kashmiris for the professional tournament standard winter sports. Since, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council in conjunction with the Government have played a significant role in providing the fledgling talents with the sporting ecosystem, training facilities, and exposure. The Indian Army has also played a crucial role in mainstreaming youth and nurturing the young talent of Kashmir by providing training and support to excel in various sports disciplines.

Over the years the government has also pumped a lot of money into sports through establishment of more stadiums, training camps and social welfare for the athletes. Such programmes have been useful in searching, and developing talents from all parts of the country with inability of an athlete to access facilities or be from a particular region not being a hindrance. Furthermore the establishment of sports academies in the region has helped nurture talent and offer the young talent a channel to sharpen their skills to the needed standard.

Noteworthy, the journey of these young athletes is not that easy. Unrest in political and social aspects in the region of Kashmir, strict patriarchal mindsets and attitude has at one time or another interfered with the regular calendar with sports activities, including training. Besides, lack of easy access to current sporting equipment, trainers together with adequate health care has been a bias. However, the efforts of these athletic persons in tackling the difficulties is worth appreciation. Some have had to practice with inferior equipment or very little supervision. But the passion that they have for their respective games has always desired them to work for it. Despite these constraints, the young athletes of Kashmir have also demonstrated that one can get around even the toughest odds. Their stories are not for those feats they achieved by winning medals or breaking records; but all about defying the odds, courage, and determination.

Young talent is involved in sports across the globe and from the corner of the world comes youth from Kashmir are not only performing well but changing the perception people have about this place. They are doing so to make sure the world understands that no matter the odds they encounter they are capable of so much. These achievements are in games like athletics, football, judo skiing and martial arts, and such performances should motivate the youths of Kashmir and the world over.

Watching the world, it is evident that a new generation of sports talents is emerging and emerging in the territory of Kashmir that is shaping the future of sports. The inspiring performances of Kashmir’s young athletes prove beyond doubt, that given proper assistance, coaching, and commitment, the region can give cricket, football and other sports icons, across the globe, a run for their money.
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