Srinagar, July 27, 2025 : Ace water sports athlete Bilquis Mir has said that Jammu and Kashmir has the natural resources, talent, and determination to become a future powerhouse in Olympic water and winter sports. Speaking in Srinagar, the internationally acclaimed canoeist highlighted the region’s glacier-fed rivers, snow-covered slopes, and a rising generation of athletes as key strengths.
Mir, the first Indian female jury member at the 2024 Paris Olympics, said her mission is to see J&K and India on the highest podium of global sporting events.
“My dream is to see J&K and India excel at the Olympics. Our youth have what it takes to reach the top. We just need to nurture their potential,” said the 38-year-old.
A recipient of multiple national and international honors, Mir praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his continued engagement with sportspersons, calling it a step toward building a strong sports culture in the country.
“When the PM talks to athletes—whether they win or lose—it sends a powerful message. It motivates players and acknowledges their journey,” she added.
A Trailblazer From Kashmir
Starting her sporting journey from Dal Lake at the age of 8, Bilquis Mir has blazed a trail for women in a field once considered taboo for girls in the Valley.
“Back in the 1990s, my struggle began right outside my house. Wearing a tracksuit was frowned upon. People thought I was setting a ‘bad example’ for other girls,” she recalled.
Despite societal opposition, she went on to represent India at the 2009 World Cup in Hungary, finishing eighth, and later served as the national coach for the women’s team during the 2012 London Olympics.
She was also the first Indian woman to serve as a judge in the Asian Games (China) and earned an International Coaching Diploma from Semmelweis University, Budapest.
Her coaching credentials include:
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Chief Coach: U23 Canoe Slalom World Championship (Italy, 2018)
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National Coach: 9th Asian Canoe Slalom Championship (Toyama, Japan, 2016)
Court Case, Victory, and Message for Girls
Recently, Mir was in the spotlight after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed an FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2023. The court’s judgment criticized authorities for “harassing talented individuals.”
“The court case was a mental trauma. But I never gave up. This verdict is not just my win—it’s a victory for all athletes who face injustice,” she said.
She encouraged young girls to remain strong despite challenges:
“There will be obstacles and failures, but don’t let them defeat you. Fight back with courage and integrity.”
Looking Ahead
Mir emphasized the need for the government to engage achievers in sports policy planning, saying their experience can help design a roadmap for future talent.
“Rather than just one Bilquis Mir, I want to see a thousand girls from J&K rise and bring glory to the nation,” she said.
With a 28-year sporting journey, Bilquis Mir stands as a symbol of perseverance, excellence, and inspiration, determined to put Jammu and Kashmir on the global sports map.
