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On 29 August, India observes National Sports Day in memory of Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player whose name remains closely associated with one of the finest chapters of Indian sport.
The day gives us a reason to talk about sports, but the real conversation should be much wider. Why should a child play? Why should schools have proper playgrounds? Why should a talented youngster from a small village get the same opportunity as someone growing up in a major city?
The answer is simple. Sport is not only about winning medals. It teaches a person how to work hard, accept setbacks, stay disciplined, and keep moving forward. For young people, it can provide confidence and a sense of purpose.
Kashmir’s Talent Is Coming Forward
Jammu and Kashmir has never lacked sporting talent. What has changed in recent years is the visibility of that talent. Cricket continues to dominate the sporting conversation, but young people from the region are also making their presence felt in mixed martial arts, kickboxing, shooting, skiing and other disciplines. Some have represented India, while others are now competing on international platforms.
Their journeys are different, but they have something in common. Most of them started somewhere ordinary a local ground, a school, a small training centre, or a neighbourhood academy.
Auqib Nabi Dar Baramulla’s Fast Bowling Story
Auqib Nabi Dar is one of the latest names to emerge from north Kashmir.
The fast bowler from Sheeri, Baramulla, worked his way through Jammu and Kashmir’s domestic cricket system and gradually attracted attention with his performances in the Ranji Trophy. For young cricketers in the region, his rise is important because it shows what can happen when local talent gets the opportunity to perform at a higher level.
In 2026, Auqib reached another major milestone when he received a call-up to India’s senior Test squad. His journey from Baramulla to the national setup is the kind of story that can make a young player believe that the distance between a village ground and the Indian team is not impossible to cross. But reaching that stage does not happen overnight. It takes years of practice, competition, setbacks and patience.
Owais Yaqoob: A Fighter from Pulwama
Owais Yaqoob’s story takes us away from the cricket field. The Pulwama-born mixed martial arts fighter has been building his career through international competition. On 21 December 2025, he defeated Mehmet Jan Tasdoven by first-round TKO in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. On 1 August 2026, he recorded another first-round TKO victory, this time against Bulgaria’s Delyan Georgiev in Burgas, Bulgaria.
For Kashmir, these are important achievements. MMA requires physical preparation, technical skill and considerable mental strength. Competing abroad also brings a different kind of pressure because an athlete is representing himself and, in many ways, the place he comes from. Owais’s progress shows that Kashmir’s sporting ambitions are moving beyond the familiar choices. A youngster from Pulwama can now look at international combat sports as a possible career.
Parvez Rasool A Name That Changed Expectations
Before today’s generation of Kashmiri cricketers, Parvez Rasool had already crossed an important barrier. The all-rounder from Bijbehara became the first male cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to represent India in international cricket. His appearance in the Indian colours meant something beyond his own career. It gave young cricketers in the region a real example to look towards. For many youngsters, the question was no longer whether a player from Jammu and Kashmir could reach India. Someone had already done it.
Umran Malik: Pace from Jammu
Umran Malik brought another kind of excitement to Indian cricket. The Jammu-born fast bowler attracted widespread attention for his pace in the Indian Premier League and later represented India. His story was followed closely because of one simple quality speed. His rise also demonstrated why sporting talent needs opportunities. A natural ability can remain unnoticed unless a player gets the chance to compete, learn, and develop. For a young fast bowler practising in Jammu and Kashmir today, Umran’s journey is a reminder that an unusual talent can become a strength at the highest level.
Abdul Samad and the New Generation
Abdul Samad is another name that has emerged from Jammu and Kashmir’s cricketing system. Known for his aggressive batting, Samad moved through domestic cricket before earning an opportunity in the Indian Premier League. His journey represents the changing cricket landscape of the region, where young players now have more avenues to test themselves against high-level competition. These stories Rasool, Umran, Samad and Auqib belong to different stages of J&K cricket, but together they show how far the region’s cricketing pathway has developed.
Women Are Part of This Story Too
A discussion about sports in Kashmir cannot be complete without mentioning its women athletes. Jasia Akhtar from Shopian has made a name for herself in women’s cricket. Her journey is important for another reason: every successful female athlete makes it easier for the next girl to imagine herself playing competitively. Tajamul Islam from Bandipora has similarly become an inspiration through kickboxing. Her achievements have shown that girls from Kashmir can take up physically demanding sports and compete successfully beyond the region. The message here is not complicated. If boys are encouraged to play, girls should be encouraged to play as well. They deserve proper grounds, coaches, equipment, and opportunities to compete.
Chain Singh and the World of Shooting
Kashmir’s sporting talent is also visible in shooting. Chain Singh from Doda has represented India at major international competitions, including the Asian Games. Shooting is a sport where concentration and control matter as much as physical ability. His career is another example of the range of talent coming from Jammu and Kashmir. It also reminds us that sports development should not focus only on the games that attract the biggest crowds.
The Mountains Can Become a Sporting Strength
Jammu and Kashmir’s geography gives it an advantage that few other regions possess. The mountains and snow of the region provide a natural setting for winter sports. Arif Khan has represented India at the Winter Olympics in alpine skiing, putting a Kashmiri athlete on one of the biggest stages in international sport. Gulmarg and other mountain areas have the potential to produce more athletes in skiing and related disciplines if training, facilities and competition opportunities continue to improve.
The Real Work Begins at the Ground Level
Behind every athlete who represents India are many young players who never get the same opportunity. That is why the future of sport in Jammu and Kashmir cannot depend only on individual success stories. The foundations have to be built at the grassroots. A school playground can be the beginning of a career. A local coach can identify a talent that others overlook. A district-level competition can give a child the confidence to take the next step.
Schools need usable grounds and regular sporting activities. Young athletes need qualified coaches, proper equipment, and opportunities to participate in competitions outside their districts. Rural areas should not be left behind simply because they are farther from major sporting centres.
Sport Is Also About Character
There is another side to sports that is sometimes forgotten. Not every child who plays cricket will become a professional cricketer. Not every runner will compete internationally. Not every young fighter will enter a professional ring. That does not make participation less valuable. A child who plays regularly learns to manage time, follow rules, work with others and deal with disappointment. Sport can improve fitness, confidence and discipline even when there is no medal at the end. For young people, especially, having a healthy activity and a clear goal can make a meaningful difference.
The Next Champion May Be Unknown Today
The names of Auqib Nabi Dar, Owais Yaqoob, Parvez Rasool, Umran Malik, Abdul Samad, Jasia Akhtar, Tajamul Islam, Chain Singh and Arif Khan give us reasons to recognise Jammu and Kashmir’s sporting potential.
But perhaps the more important question is: who comes next? There may be a young cricketer practising in Baramulla, a fighter training in Pulwama, a shooter in Doda, a footballer in Srinagar or a skier preparing in Gulmarg who will represent India in the future.
We may not know their names yet. National Sports Day is a good occasion to make sure that when their opportunity arrives, they are ready for it.
Looking Ahead
The sporting story of Jammu and Kashmir is gradually becoming broader. Cricket has produced national-level names, combat sports are reaching international platforms, women athletes are breaking new ground, and the region’s natural landscape offers opportunities in winter sports.
The next step is to strengthen the system around these athletes.
More playgrounds, better coaching, competitions at the grassroots, opportunities for girls and greater support for promising athletes can help turn individual success into a wider sporting culture.
On 29 August, while remembering Major Dhyan Chand and his contribution to Indian sport, we should also look towards the young athletes of today. The next champion may not be training in a famous stadium. He or she may be standing on a modest local ground, working quietly and dreaming of wearing India’s colours. The responsibility of the sporting system is to make sure that dream has a fair chance of becoming reality.
The Author is a writer, social educator and researcher from Baramulla, holds a master’s in Gender Studies and a BED.
shoaibhat2018@gmail.com
