Water sports make a splash in Kashmir
Efforts from all quarters to encourage water sports in Jammu and Kashmir are bearing heartening results. Here’s a round-up of the current scenario in photos.
Bilquis Mir from Jammu and Kashmir has made history as the first Indian woman who served as a jury member at the Summer Olympics in Paris, from July 26 to August 11. She guides young kayaking athletes to boost water sports in Kashmir.
This summer, the J&K Water Sports Kayaking and Canoeing Association hosted a competition in Gurez valley, with a large number of athletes participating in the thrilling event.
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Mir stands by the lake at Pokhribal, a place that was once infamous for being a hotbed for drug-related activities.
A young kayaking athlete proudly poses at the competition, ready to take on new challenges and represent the region.
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Gurez, with its pristine water bodies, has become a hotspot for water sports competitions organised by the government, boosting the sports culture and preparing athletes for global events.
Kayaking and canoeing activists are being organised by the district administration of Bandipora in collaboration with the tourism department.
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Kashmiri youths are now actively participating in water sports activities in Gurez valley. The J&K government plans to train young talent across the union territory and provide them with a path to success in sports, helping them build a future free from drugs and crime.
An aerial view of a water body in Gurez where water sports activities take place.
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The lead image on top shows the mountains in Kashmir’s Gurez valley where a water sports competition was organised by the J&K government to boost tourism in the region and train athletes for participation in national and international competitions.
Reporting and photography by Suhail Bhat, a multimedia journalist from Kashmir, currently based in New Delhi.