J&K’s female athletes make history at National Sports League

Sopore, Jan 12: In the changing landscape of sports in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, young female athletes are no longer on the sidelines but are at the forefront, scripting success stories and achieving parity with their counterparts nationwide.

In past years the sports activities in union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, from cricket to various indoor and outdoor disciplines ascend to new heights. Young women athletes, in particular, are now representing India on national platforms alongside fellow sportspersons.

In a latest development, a group of cyclists from North Kashmir’s Baramulla district excelled at a national event, proving that the era of female athletes lagging behind is conclusively over.

A sports official said that cyclists Ulfat Mushtaq, Mehak Mushtaq, Sofia Hilal, Sobiya Manzoor, and Hoor-i-ein Lone delivered outstanding performances at the Khelo India Asmita Women’s League held in Kurukshetra, Haryana.

He said Ulfat Mushtaq secured 10th position in the 30 km Time Trial and 11th in the 60 km Mass Start.

The official stated that Mehak Mushtaq achieved 12th place in the 30 km Time Trial and demonstrated exceptional resilience by finishing 13th in the 60 km Mass Start despite a crash. Sofia Hilal and Sobiya Manzoor delivered standout results with 7th and 8th positions respectively, while Hoor-i-ein Lone added to the team’s pride with a 16th-place finish.

He added that this event marked the historic first-ever participation of a Jammu & Kashmir women’s cycling team in the Khelo India Asmita League, with all riders proudly representing District Baramulla.

The official further stated that it is a very positive sign to see how sports activities in the Union Territory are shaping lives, where athletes are setting an example and inspiring others.

He said the sports department is creating all necessary facilities to support the sports athletes and to provide them with more platforms where they can excel further and represent Kashmir at national and international levels.

In a related development aimed at fostering this athletic momentum, the Jammu and Kashmir administration is undertaking a major initiative to bolster sports infrastructure across the Union Territory. This follows a high-level meeting between J&K’s Sports Minister, Satish Sharma, and key national sports officials.

Minister Sharma informed that he held detailed discussions with Rohan Jaitley, Chairman of the BCCI Infrastructure Committee and President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association. The talks centered on concrete plans for constructing new cricket stadiums in Jammu and Kashmir.

Emphasizing the “immense sporting talent” within the Union Territory, Minister Sharma stressed the “need for world-class cricketing infrastructure to nurture young players and promote a robust sports culture.” The proposed stadiums are expected to provide modern training facilities and position J&K as a potential host for national and international cricket events.

Minister Sharma also highlighted Jammu and Kashmir’s broad potential in sectors like start-ups, handicrafts, agri-based industries, tourism, and IT-enabled services. He affirmed the government’s commitment to creating a supportive ecosystem for youth-led enterprises.

“The ideas emerging from forums like the Viksit Bharat Dialogue are crucial to realizing the vision of an Aatmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat, ensuring inclusive growth across all regions,” Sharma stated, commending the organizers for providing a national platform for youth engagement. (KNS)