Qais’s India call-up at junior Soft Tennis Championship brings tears of joy to father

Srinagar, Jan 14: For Aijaz Sofi, watching his 13-year-old son, Mohammad Qais, earn an India cap is more than a sporting milestone, it is the fulfilment of a dream that began decades ago on a lone tennis court in Srinagar.

Mohammad Qais has been selected to represent India at the 2nd Asian Junior Soft Tennis Championship 2026, scheduled to be held from February 3 to 8 in Punjab. The championship will feature participation from many countries, including Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia and Poland.

“For a boy who is not even 14 to represent India, this is a very big achievement,” said an emotional Aijaz Sofi, Qais’s father, while speaking about his son’s journey. “It’s not just happiness, it is a moment I never imagined I would live to see.”

A Father’s Unfinished Dream Aijaz traces this moment back to his own childhood in Dalgate and Buchwara, where access to sports facilities was limited. “When I was young, we used to go to the Amar Singh Club. There was only one tennis court. Officers used to play, and we would just watch,” he recalled. “That passion stayed with me all my life.”

Today, that unfulfilled passion has found expression through his son.

“Seeing Qais represent India feels like I have completed my childhood dream through him,” he said, adding that the joy has even eased his long-standing health concerns. “I feel lighter, happier, this success means everything.”

Balancing Books and Sports Despite the sporting success, Aijaz is clear that academics remain non-negotiable. “Sports are important, but education is necessary,” he said, highlighting how Qais continues to excel in studies, recently scoring 92 percent and getting promoted to Class 9 at a Srinagar-based school.

He contrasted this with his experience during selection trials in Gujarat, where he noticed parents prioritising sports over academics entirely. “There, some parents don’t care about studies at all. For us, the pressure is double, Qais has to study and play. But that balance is important.”

Family Celebrations

The Sofi household has been buzzing with congratulatory calls from relatives, friends and neighbours. “Everyone is happy. Relatives are visiting, and phones haven’t stopped ringing,” Aijaz said, calling it a moment of shared joy for the family.

Qais’s achievements already include being a three-time gold medallist at the district level, a three-time gold medallist at the UT level, and representing J&K at national competitions.

As Qais prepares for the international stage, his father remains grounded yet hopeful. “To represent the country itself is a big thing. What comes next will come with hard work and Allah’s will,” Aijaz said.