The State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is striving hard to craft a space on the country’s sports map, had a mixed fortune for sports in the year 2017. On the one hand, the players of some prominent medal winning sports disciplines continued their brilliance at the National and International scene, and on the other hand, the State witnessed a dismal show in most of the games at the National level. As usual, wushu led from the front in the medal winning race, while boxing, gymnastics, fencing and judo are a few more disciplines to name. As for as the game of Cricket is concerned, in J&K cricket is being played in courts rather than on playgrounds. Some players gave outstanding individual performances, but the State teams, as per the custom, presented a dismal show. However, in the development of sports infrastructure and in hosting mega sports events, J&K remained at the top in 2017. The elitist Sports Department/ Organization namely the Department of Youth Services and Sports and the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council organized big sporting events at the State and the National level. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) also proved its mettle in promoting sports in the State by organizing quality sports events. Some extraordinary talented sportspersons kept their State’s and also the Country’s flag high in some specific sports disciplines at the higher levels and most of the other games failed to enhance their performance graph. RAJESH DHAR sums up the sports scenario in Jammu and Kashmir in the year that passed away
Bhanu Partap, Rajinder Singh, Handoo shine
As usual, Wushu players Surya Bhanu Partap Singh, Rajinder Singh and their coach Kuldeep Handoo sparkled at the International level in 2017. While Bhanu Partap clinched gold in 6th PARS Cup held in Iran, Rajinder Singh bagged silver bronze in World Wushu Games held in Russia. Handoo brought laurels to the State and to the Country as Chief Coach of India. Apart from this, Riya Chib and Munazer Gazi claimed gold in 63rd National School Games held in Assam.
Gymnasts blossom
Young gymnasts Bavleen Kour, Vandana, Nandini Lakhotra and Stuti Gupta made it to the 16-member India squad for Khelo Games, which witnessed record participation across the Country. Ace gymnast, Palak and Bavleen also attended a special training camp at Thailand. Coaches Arjun Awardee Krupali, Manisha and SP Singh have the role to play in upliftment of budding gymnasts.
Fencer Vansh represents India
Ace fencer Vansh Mahajan participated in Commonwealth Championship held at South Africa, besides taking part in Thailand Open, Hong Kong Open and Junior World Cup held at Russia. Riya Bakshi became the first International girl fencer from the State to participate in Asian Cadet Fencing Championship held at Saudi Arab, while
Rudra Partap Singh, a national medalist, has also been selected for Asian Championship to be held at Dubai next year. Currently, he is having rank-2 in India. International coach Rachna Jamwal, coach Shotu Lal, Rashid Ahmed and former International player Ujjwal Gupta deserve appreciation for patting and promoting fencers in the State.
Meenal wins gold in Commonwealth Games
Meenal Gupta won gold medal in Commonwealth Games and kept her State’s flag high at the International scene. Meenal alongwith her father Atul Kumar Gupta were honoured by Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS PMO, who appreciated Meenal for this achievement. She was also congratulated by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Sports Minister, Imran Raza Ansari for bringing laurels to the State.
Kalra appointed Sports Advisor to Lakshadweep Govt
Former National Cricketer and Sports Administrator, Ranjeet Kalra was appointed as Advisor for Youth Services & Sports to The Union Territory Government of Lakshadweep, under the aegis of Union Home Ministry. Kalra also won wide acclaim for his sporting acumen for successfully organizing the Prime Minister’s ‘Khelo India’ Scheme in District Jammu apart from hosting a series of sports events.
Spikker Saqlain represents IU team
Saqlain Tariq, International Volleyball Player from Poonch was selected in the Indian University (IU) team for Federation Cup Volleyball Championship in February, 2017. Earlier, Tariq represented the country as Captain of Volleyball team through 10th Asian Volleyball Championship which was held at Colombo in Sri Lanka.
Danish, Shweta represent India in WU Games
Ace Judokas Danish and Shweta Thakur became part of World University (WU) Games after their good show in All India Inter-University competitions. The duo has the distinction of bringing laurels to the State, time and again, in National level events.
Atul Pangotra does it again
International Taekwondo player, coach and referee, Atul Pangotra continued his brilliance in 2017, winning silver medal in Commonwealth Taekwondo Championship-2017 at Mondtreal in Canada. He also won gold medal in Senior National Taekwondo Championship held in Jammu, besides winning bronze in World Taekwondo Cadet Championship at Egypt. He also attended Refresher Course in South Korea. He was appointed Referee Chairman of Taekwondo Federation of India.
J&K wins gold
J&K wins gold medal in 63rd National School Games Under-19 Boys Tennis Ball Cricket Championship held at Neemich in Madhya Pradesh recently. J&K defeated Goa in the summit clash. The team was sponsored by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, J&K.
Cyclists bring laurels
Cyclist Bilal Ahmed won 2 gold and one bronze medal in Nationals, while Mohd Adil Teli claimed silver medal in this discipline of sport during the year 2017
Praful 1st migrant to Vice Captain J&K U-16 team
Praful Dhar became the first player from migrant educational institutions in Jammu to represent the State Under-16 Cricket Team as Vice Captain in North Zone Vijay Merchant Trophy. Student of Govt HSS (Camp) Bohri, Jammu, Praful was appreciated by his Principal Ramesh Kumar Hakim for this achievement.
He said his selection will open a window for other migrant players to showcase their skill at the higher levels.
J&K boxers dazzle
Jammu and Kashmir boxers Pardeep Sharma and Ashish Jasrotia were named for the India Camp held at National Boxing Academy Rohtak. Pardeep also won bronze medal in Senior National event at Vishakhapatnam. Boxers Vinod Bharadwaj and Vinay Partap Singh were selected in 30 probable from across the country for 2020-2014 Olympic Qualifying. Mansingh won bronze in National School Games. The credit of producing quality boxers goes to Anil Wadhera, boxing Coach.
Cricketers Pundir, Jiyaad, Jatin excel
Talented cricketers Shubham Pundir, Jatin Wadhawan and Jiyaad Nazir Magray hit two centuries each in their respective groups in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Tournaments held during 2017. Other players who scored centuries this season included Shubham Khajuria, Ahmed Banday, Punit Bisht, Paras Sharma, Qamran Iqbal, Sahil Lotra, Vivrant Sharma, Kanhaiya Wadhavan and Tahsin Dar. Parvez Rasool once again emerged top wicket-taker from Jammu and Kashmir in Ranji Trophy with 28 wickets.
Chain Singh awarded Rs 5 lakh
For his outstanding contribution in the field of shooting, the first Olympian from Jammu and Kashmir, Chain Singh has been awarded Rs 5 lakh by the Government through Secretary J&K State Sports Council, Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra. He has the honour of winning bronze medal in 2014 Asian Games at Incheon in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions event, besides winning six gold medals, three in individual events and three in team events, in 2016 South Asian Games held at Guwahati and Shillong in India.
Bali elected Jt Secy IOA
J&K’s Dr SM Bali, who has the distinction of being former Secretary General Handball Federation of India, was elected Joint Secretary of Indian Olympic Association in the elections held recently. Mr Bali has the honour of being former President Jammu and Kashmir Handball Association also.
Ansh bags 4th spot in Sub Jr National Snooker
Ace cueist Ansh Chopra claimed 4th spot in the National Sub Junior Snooker Championship, organized by the Karnataka State Billiards Association, under the auspices of Billiards and Snooker Federation of India at Bengaluru in Karnataka.
Kavya bags silver in National shooting
Young and promising shooter Kavya Kochar secured silver medal in Under-17 girls category of 63rd National School Games Shooting Championship held at Shiv Chhattrapati Sports Complex, Balewade, Pune in Maharashtra.
‘Khelo India’ makes impact
Prime Minister Mahendra Modi’s ‘Khelo India’ Scheme made tremendous impact as thousands of players across the State participated in these prestigious ‘Khelo India’ Games. The selected players in these games will represent Indian teams in their respective sports disciplines.
Ranjit appointed National selector
Former skipper Indian Handball team and SSP Ranjit Singh Chib was appointed National selector by the Handball Federation of India. He has been outstanding Handball player, who has been instrumental in guiding State as also the national team to win good number of matches.
Akash Batra represents Country
Akash Batra was part of the Indian Net Ball team that won gold in the Asian Championship held in Malaysia recently, India defeated arch rivals Pakistan in the finals of this prestigious event.
SCA organizes mega events
State Cricket Academy (SCA) of Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council organized a series of mega cricketing events in the State throughout the year. Cricketers in thousands participated in these tournaments, which included the players from far flung areas of the State.
Bilquis produces International stuff
J&K’s India coach continued to produce International stuff in the discipline of Kayaking and Canoeing in the year 2017. Bilquis ‘mantra’ helped has helped J&K boys and girls to bring laurels even at the International scene, not to talk of the National level only.
Stone-thrower-turned goalie
Poster girl of stone throwers in Valley turned goalie and led the State team in prestigious women’s football tournament at Delhi. In connection with the Football Tournament in Delhi, the 21-year old Afshan Ashiq met the Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh and said that that she does not want to look back.
State hosts historic CM’s T20 Cup
Jammu City hosted the historic Chief Minister’s T20 Premier League for Women, wherein top players from Bangladesh, Nepal and all parts of India participated. The event was organized by J&K State Sports Council and J&K Police Department at Parade ground in Jammu. The event was the brainchild of former Ranji Trophy Player and Chief Prosecuting Officer, Rajesh Gill, Ranjeet Kalra, Member BCCI and Vice Chairman Sports Council Jammu and this columnist.
J&K’s Hiteshwar sparkles
J&K’s ace player, Hiteshwar Singh blossomed as India maintained its supremacy in Roll Ball by winning 4th Roll Ball World Cup at Dhaka in Bangladesh. In the nail-biting summit clash, India defeated Iran in a close contest by eight goals to seven (8-7) including a last minute goal, thus retaining the World Cup.
Record participation in football tourney
As many as 33 teams from across the Country participated in the 63rd National School Games Under-17 Boys Football Tournament, organized by the Department of Youth Services and Sports in Jammu. It is so far the record participation of the teams in any event hosted by State. Minister for Information Technology, Technical Education and Youth Services and Sports, Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari was the chief guest on the valedictory function of this mega event.
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