Amid the glow of floodlights illuminating a cricket pitch in Pulwama, where echoes of past tensions once dominated, a new energy pulses through Kashmir as young athletes chase balls and dreams with unyielding determination. This shift, sparked by perpetual government strategies after 2016, has elevated the region’s sports landscape from basic community fields to arenas of global competition, instilling pride and purpose in a generation eager for change. Today, sports are not merely games but as catalysts of renewal, uniting communities and propelling individuals toward achievements that redefine Kashmir’s narrative on the world stage, proving that resilience can turn challenges into triumphs.
The foundation of this transformation rests on a concerted push to build sports infrastructure, addressing the needs of youth and steering them toward productive avenues. Through the Prime Minister’s Development Package, which infused Rs 200 crore into upgrades, Kashmir has witnessed a surge in modern facilities designed to nurture talent at every level. By 2025, every district proudly boasts of revamped stadiums and training centres, including those in Srinagar equipped for international standard events in cricket and athletics. In Shopian, FIFA certified synthetic turf football stadiums have come up which would support year-round play, complete with floodlights for evening matches that extend opportunities beyond daylight hours. The J&K Sports Policy of 2022 further solidifies this commitment by mandating at least one playground in each panchayat, supplied with kits during initiatives like Back to Village, ensuring that even remote villages gain access to quality resources. These efforts have bridged urban and rural divides, allowing aspiring athletes to hone skills without travelling far and they reflect a broader vision where sports become integral to daily life, fostering discipline and ambition among the young.
Young Kashmiris, empowered by these advancements, now grace international platforms, their journeys from local grounds to podiums inspiring widespread admiration. Tajamul Islam from Bandipora stands out as a pioneer, capturing gold at the World Kickboxing Championship in Italy at age seven in 2016 and again in Cairo in 2021, her victories breaking barriers for girls in a traditionally conservative environment. Alishaba Fatima Jilani, a 15-year-old from Srinagar, claimed bronze at the Junior World Pencak Silat Championship in Abu Dhabi in 2024, while Nehal Zubair from Shopian took silver there, showcasing martial arts as a domain where Kashmiri women excel. In winter disciplines, Arif Khan of Gulmarg represented India alone at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics in slalom events, his path illuminated by enhanced training setups in snowy regions. With Khelo India centers across the valley training thousands of youths, such stories multiply, demonstrating how structured support transforms potential into performance. These athletes, often beginning on improvised fields, now access professional coaching that propels them forward, affirming the belief that investment in sports yields dividends far beyond medals, by building confidence and opening doors to global opportunities.
Football emerges as another pillar of this resurgence, with prodigies like Azim Parvez from Srinagar’s Downtown Heroes FC earning spots on India’s Under-17 team and contributing to the SAFF Under-17 Championship win this year, which qualified the squad for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in 2026. Maroof Shafi, another teen talent, has mirrored this success in youth internationals, underscoring the role of local academies in grooming stars. Even in areas like Pulwama, day and night tournaments thrive, such as the Legends League Cricket opener in August, where crowds gathered under lights to celebrate sport over strife. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted these milestones in his Mann ki Baat broadcast, commending the spirit shown during the Pulwama match and a water sports festival on Dal Lake amid floods, as emblems of Kashmir’s forward momentum. Participation has skyrocketed, with lakhs of children and youths engaging in various activities last year, a testament to how sports now permeate the social fabric.
This movement extends its influence to societal healing, promoting harmony in a place marked by historical divisions. Leaders have unanimously advocated for expanded facilities to engage youth positively. Non Governmental Organizations and the J&K Sports Council host competitions and leagues that emphasize collaboration, reinforcing perceptions of unity and progress. Women, in particular, benefit from this inclusivity, with figures like Ayeera Chisti securing bronze at the World Junior Wushu Championship in 2022 and Hazika Binte Farooq earning selection for FIS Alpine training, this year. Their accomplishments illustrate how sports empower women to lead and innovate within their communities.
Economically, the sports boom generates waves of opportunity, drawing events that stimulate tourism and employment. The Khelo India Winter Games, along with marathons and cricket series, position Kashmir as a budding destination for sports enthusiasts, supported by the Rs 200 crore allocation that has overhauled training and infrastructure. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s statements reveal a spike in national medals, with about 500 athletes succeeding since the Article 370 changes, aligning with India’s national sports budget increase to Rs 3794 crore for 2025-26, up 130 percent from 2014. Over 4500 youth clubs and fitness zones at panchayat levels ensure widespread involvement, creating a pipeline of talent that bolsters local economies through coaching jobs and event hosting.
As Kashmir looks to the future, its sports horizon brims with promise, with forthcoming engagements like the AFC U-17 Asian Cup and possible IPL fixtures integrating the region into India’s athletic mainstream. Emerging stars such as Mohsin Ali, the 17-year-old kayaker triumphant at Khelo India events and Nasir Aejaz Sufi, chosen for the U-15 World School Volleyball Championship, epitomize this ascent. Prime Minister Modi’s vision ties sports to broader development, with institutions like AIIMS and IITs complementing athletic pursuits in forging a developed India by 2047. Ultimately, this revolution reimagines Kashmir’s essence, shifting from shadows of discord to spotlights on striving competitors, where community fields cultivate aspirations that resound globally. Through dedicated support for youth through sports, the region secures its destiny while enriching India’s sporting heritage, showing that from determination forged in adversity, true victors emerge.
The spotlight on martial arts continues to shine brightly with athletes like Samia Majeed from Baramulla, who at seven years old claimed first place at the International Karate Championship in Goa in 2022, her precision and poise capturing hearts worldwide. Rabiya Amin and Pakeeza Nazir, both 14-year olds from Budgam, brought home bronze and silver in karate from an international event in Ahmedabad in 2019, their dedication paving the way for more young girls to follow suit. Munazeh Gazi’s gold at the Moscow Wushu Stars Championship in 2020 adds to this legacy, illustrating the depth of talent emerging from Kashmir’s training camps. In skiing and snowboarding, Waseem Ahmad Bhat and Ayan Zargar represented India at the Asian Alpine Ski Championship in Lebanon, their performances highlighting the valley’s natural advantages in winter sports. Gulzar Ahmad Khan and Muzamil from Budgam prepare for the Ciaspolada snowshoe race in Italy, carrying forward this tradition with enthusiasm and skill.
Cricket sees promising figures like Qamran Iqbal from Srinagar, who joined India’s U-19 squad and competed in youth internationals, his batting prowess drawing comparisons to established stars. Rasikh Salam, another young cricketer from the valley, has progressed to international youth levels, inspiring peers with his seam bowling. Sadia Wani’s selection for India’s U-19 and senior camps by the BCCI marks a milestone for women’s cricket in Kashmir, her all round abilities shining through. Volleyball gains traction with Nasir Aejaz Sufi from Baramulla, selected for India’s U-15 team at the World School Volleyball Championship in China in 2025, a breakthrough that energizes the sport locally.
Water sports flourish on Dal Lake, where Mohsin Ali’s golds in kayaking at the Khelo India festival in 2025 showcase the harmony between tradition and modern competition. Aadil Manzoor Peer from Kupwara promotes icestock internationally, encouraging youth to explore winter variants. These youngsters embody the vibrant spirit driving Kashmir’s sports scene forward. Their global successes foster a cycle of inspiration, where each medal motivates the next wave of talent to aim higher, ensuring that Kashmir’s presence on international podiums grows stronger with every passing year.
Sports Revolution in Kashmir: From Local Grounds to International Podiums
