Sports of Jammu and Kashmir | JKPSC KAS (Jammu and Kashmir): Preparation Course PDF Download

 Page 1


SPORTSOFJAMMU
ANDKASHMIR
CHAPTER28
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the favourable places for many
sports in India. The state offers different kinds of sports activities
to both, its sportspersons and tourists. For example, paragliding,
skiing, river rafting, trekking, polo, archery, mountaineering,
mountain biking, golfing, cricket and football sports.
Major Sports in Jammu and Kashmir
Major sports in Jammu and Kashmir are discussed below:
Cricket
Cricket is one of the important sports in the state. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket
team mainly plays for the Rajni Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jammu and
Kashmir Cricket Association came into existence in 1970. Sher–i–Kashmir Stadium
(Srinagar), Maulana Azad Stadium ( Jammu) and Gandhi Memorial Science
College Ground ( Jammu) are its home grounds.
ParvezRasool,MithunManhas andManzoorDar are three important players who
have played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab in T20 IPL match. Jasia
Akhtar is a women cricketer who became the first womenofJammuandKashmirto
beselectedintheIndiaWomen’sNationalCricketTeam. The Jammu and Kashmir
cricket team won many matches, e.g. Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2017, Ranji Trophy,
2017–18, Zonal T20 League, 2018 and Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2018-19.
Archery
It is a very famous traditional sport among the rural folk of the districts of Leh and
Kargil of the Ladakh region. Many competitions are organised in the villages of
these districts, which exhibit the culture and tradition of the state. In Kargil district,
the competitions of archery are a serious affair whereas in the district of Leh, people
organise competitions with great zeal. Two Archers of Jammu and Kashmir namely,
MuhammadSufiyaanBhat andMudasirAhmadBhat won silver and bronze medals,
respectively, in the Indoor National Field Archery Championship, 2018 in Mumbai.
Page 2


SPORTSOFJAMMU
ANDKASHMIR
CHAPTER28
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the favourable places for many
sports in India. The state offers different kinds of sports activities
to both, its sportspersons and tourists. For example, paragliding,
skiing, river rafting, trekking, polo, archery, mountaineering,
mountain biking, golfing, cricket and football sports.
Major Sports in Jammu and Kashmir
Major sports in Jammu and Kashmir are discussed below:
Cricket
Cricket is one of the important sports in the state. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket
team mainly plays for the Rajni Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jammu and
Kashmir Cricket Association came into existence in 1970. Sher–i–Kashmir Stadium
(Srinagar), Maulana Azad Stadium ( Jammu) and Gandhi Memorial Science
College Ground ( Jammu) are its home grounds.
ParvezRasool,MithunManhas andManzoorDar are three important players who
have played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab in T20 IPL match. Jasia
Akhtar is a women cricketer who became the first womenofJammuandKashmirto
beselectedintheIndiaWomen’sNationalCricketTeam. The Jammu and Kashmir
cricket team won many matches, e.g. Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2017, Ranji Trophy,
2017–18, Zonal T20 League, 2018 and Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2018-19.
Archery
It is a very famous traditional sport among the rural folk of the districts of Leh and
Kargil of the Ladakh region. Many competitions are organised in the villages of
these districts, which exhibit the culture and tradition of the state. In Kargil district,
the competitions of archery are a serious affair whereas in the district of Leh, people
organise competitions with great zeal. Two Archers of Jammu and Kashmir namely,
MuhammadSufiyaanBhat andMudasirAhmadBhat won silver and bronze medals,
respectively, in the Indoor National Field Archery Championship, 2018 in Mumbai.
Football
It is believed that football was first introduced by Tyndale Biscoe in 1891–92, who
was the founder of the Mission School in Srinagar. The JammuandKashmir
Football Association was established in 1964. In the same period, a regional football
team first time took part in the Santosh Trophy. Important football players who
belong to Jammu and Kashmir are MehrajuddinWadoo, AbdulMajeedKakroo,
IshfaqAhmed,BasitAhmad,MohammadRenbar, etc.
Two teams from the state play for the I–League i.e.RealKashmirFootball Club
andLonestarKashmirFootballClub. The Real Kashmir Football Club has became
the first Jammu and Kashmir football team to gain I–League promotion by
defeating Hindustan FC (Delhi) in May 2018. Other tournaments are also
organised in the state like The CRPF Football Cup Tournament, The Mufti
Mohammad Syeed Memorial Tournament, Premium Knock–out Football
Tournament, The Premier Division of the Kashmir State League, etc.
Golf
It is one of the most popular sports in the state. Kashmir region provides a number
of suitable locations and golf courses for golf lovers.Some important golf courses are:
Royal Spring Golf Courses
It is situated at the foothills of Zabarwan mountains in Srinagar. It was
commissioned in 2001. It is a 18 hole golf course. It was designed by the American
Golf Course Architect, Robert Trent Bobby Jones Jr–II. It was previously known as
Salim Ali National Park. In July 2012, for the first time the women’s golf
tournament was conducted in this golf course.
Gulmarg Golf Club
This place was earlier used as a holiday resort by the British, who then established
this place as a Gulmarg Golf Club in 1911 AD. The Gulmarg Golf Club is located
at the height about 9000 ft. It is the longest golf course in India. Gulmarg is known
asGolfingMeccaofIndia, which got this title after the establishment of a 6 hole
course in 1890–91 by colonel Neville Chamberlain. A land at Gulmarg was donated
by the Maharaja of Kashmir for laying out a golf course in 1901 AD, which was
known as the upper golf course. A 9 hole course was also established in Gulmarg in
1915 AD which was known as ‘Rabbits course’. In 1922, the first Golf
Championship was played at Gulmarg.
Kashmir Golf Club
It is located at Srinagar and is the oldest golf course in Srinagar. It is a 18 hole golf
course which is also considered one of the beautiful golf course in the world. A
renowned Golfer, Ghulam Mohammad is associated with the history of this golf
club.
Page 3


SPORTSOFJAMMU
ANDKASHMIR
CHAPTER28
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the favourable places for many
sports in India. The state offers different kinds of sports activities
to both, its sportspersons and tourists. For example, paragliding,
skiing, river rafting, trekking, polo, archery, mountaineering,
mountain biking, golfing, cricket and football sports.
Major Sports in Jammu and Kashmir
Major sports in Jammu and Kashmir are discussed below:
Cricket
Cricket is one of the important sports in the state. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket
team mainly plays for the Rajni Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jammu and
Kashmir Cricket Association came into existence in 1970. Sher–i–Kashmir Stadium
(Srinagar), Maulana Azad Stadium ( Jammu) and Gandhi Memorial Science
College Ground ( Jammu) are its home grounds.
ParvezRasool,MithunManhas andManzoorDar are three important players who
have played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab in T20 IPL match. Jasia
Akhtar is a women cricketer who became the first womenofJammuandKashmirto
beselectedintheIndiaWomen’sNationalCricketTeam. The Jammu and Kashmir
cricket team won many matches, e.g. Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2017, Ranji Trophy,
2017–18, Zonal T20 League, 2018 and Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2018-19.
Archery
It is a very famous traditional sport among the rural folk of the districts of Leh and
Kargil of the Ladakh region. Many competitions are organised in the villages of
these districts, which exhibit the culture and tradition of the state. In Kargil district,
the competitions of archery are a serious affair whereas in the district of Leh, people
organise competitions with great zeal. Two Archers of Jammu and Kashmir namely,
MuhammadSufiyaanBhat andMudasirAhmadBhat won silver and bronze medals,
respectively, in the Indoor National Field Archery Championship, 2018 in Mumbai.
Football
It is believed that football was first introduced by Tyndale Biscoe in 1891–92, who
was the founder of the Mission School in Srinagar. The JammuandKashmir
Football Association was established in 1964. In the same period, a regional football
team first time took part in the Santosh Trophy. Important football players who
belong to Jammu and Kashmir are MehrajuddinWadoo, AbdulMajeedKakroo,
IshfaqAhmed,BasitAhmad,MohammadRenbar, etc.
Two teams from the state play for the I–League i.e.RealKashmirFootball Club
andLonestarKashmirFootballClub. The Real Kashmir Football Club has became
the first Jammu and Kashmir football team to gain I–League promotion by
defeating Hindustan FC (Delhi) in May 2018. Other tournaments are also
organised in the state like The CRPF Football Cup Tournament, The Mufti
Mohammad Syeed Memorial Tournament, Premium Knock–out Football
Tournament, The Premier Division of the Kashmir State League, etc.
Golf
It is one of the most popular sports in the state. Kashmir region provides a number
of suitable locations and golf courses for golf lovers.Some important golf courses are:
Royal Spring Golf Courses
It is situated at the foothills of Zabarwan mountains in Srinagar. It was
commissioned in 2001. It is a 18 hole golf course. It was designed by the American
Golf Course Architect, Robert Trent Bobby Jones Jr–II. It was previously known as
Salim Ali National Park. In July 2012, for the first time the women’s golf
tournament was conducted in this golf course.
Gulmarg Golf Club
This place was earlier used as a holiday resort by the British, who then established
this place as a Gulmarg Golf Club in 1911 AD. The Gulmarg Golf Club is located
at the height about 9000 ft. It is the longest golf course in India. Gulmarg is known
asGolfingMeccaofIndia, which got this title after the establishment of a 6 hole
course in 1890–91 by colonel Neville Chamberlain. A land at Gulmarg was donated
by the Maharaja of Kashmir for laying out a golf course in 1901 AD, which was
known as the upper golf course. A 9 hole course was also established in Gulmarg in
1915 AD which was known as ‘Rabbits course’. In 1922, the first Golf
Championship was played at Gulmarg.
Kashmir Golf Club
It is located at Srinagar and is the oldest golf course in Srinagar. It is a 18 hole golf
course which is also considered one of the beautiful golf course in the world. A
renowned Golfer, Ghulam Mohammad is associated with the history of this golf
club.
He trained many golfers and was the first golfing professional in India in 1930 AD.
He trained very famous golfers of India, e.g. Late Billo PG Sethi, late Maharaja
Hari Singh of Kashmir, Late Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad and JS Pathak.
Paragliding
It is a popular adventure sport that attracts tourists to Kashmir, Jammu and Sanasar
where this activity is carried out. Training camps for parasailing and paragliding are
organised at Sanasar (Udhampur and Batote Ramban district). The best months to
go paragliding in Sanasar are May–June and September–October.
Polo
It is a traditional and ancestral sport, which is prevalently practised in the rural areas
of the state. It is particularly popular in the Ladakhregion. Almost all the rural
centres of the state have polo grounds. The Ladakh region got acquainted with the
game in 17th century, when the kingSinggeNamgyal introduced it.
River Rafting
Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its rivers and lakes. Rivers Indus andZanskar in
Ladakh region are two most famous rivers which provide best destination for river
rafting. River Lidder also has few stretches in Ladakh region near Pahalgam which
provides suitable locations for this sport. The best time for rafting in the state is
during summer time (between the end of June and late August), when the rivers are
full of water.
Skiing
Gulmarg resort is considered as the best skiing resort in the Himalayas and is
located inSrinagar. Two British Army officers established this resort in 1927 AD
and also set up the first skiing club in Gulmarg. Skiing races are organised in the
resort at the times of festivals like Easter and Christmas. In 1998, the first National
Winter Games were organised in Gulmarg.
It is the highest Lift–Served Ski resort in India. Here tourists enjoy Ski lifts and
Chair lifts which take skiiers up to the top of the ski slopes. From that place skiiers
are provided the options of beginners, intermediate and advanced slopes for skiing
sport. The resort is Asia’s only heli-skiing resort.
Trekking
Ladakh is known as atrekker’sparadise despite of its harsh weather conditions.
Most of the tourists, who visit Kashmir like to trek. The most famous of all trekking
routes in the state is none other than the Amarnath Yatra.
Page 4


SPORTSOFJAMMU
ANDKASHMIR
CHAPTER28
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the favourable places for many
sports in India. The state offers different kinds of sports activities
to both, its sportspersons and tourists. For example, paragliding,
skiing, river rafting, trekking, polo, archery, mountaineering,
mountain biking, golfing, cricket and football sports.
Major Sports in Jammu and Kashmir
Major sports in Jammu and Kashmir are discussed below:
Cricket
Cricket is one of the important sports in the state. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket
team mainly plays for the Rajni Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jammu and
Kashmir Cricket Association came into existence in 1970. Sher–i–Kashmir Stadium
(Srinagar), Maulana Azad Stadium ( Jammu) and Gandhi Memorial Science
College Ground ( Jammu) are its home grounds.
ParvezRasool,MithunManhas andManzoorDar are three important players who
have played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab in T20 IPL match. Jasia
Akhtar is a women cricketer who became the first womenofJammuandKashmirto
beselectedintheIndiaWomen’sNationalCricketTeam. The Jammu and Kashmir
cricket team won many matches, e.g. Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2017, Ranji Trophy,
2017–18, Zonal T20 League, 2018 and Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2018-19.
Archery
It is a very famous traditional sport among the rural folk of the districts of Leh and
Kargil of the Ladakh region. Many competitions are organised in the villages of
these districts, which exhibit the culture and tradition of the state. In Kargil district,
the competitions of archery are a serious affair whereas in the district of Leh, people
organise competitions with great zeal. Two Archers of Jammu and Kashmir namely,
MuhammadSufiyaanBhat andMudasirAhmadBhat won silver and bronze medals,
respectively, in the Indoor National Field Archery Championship, 2018 in Mumbai.
Football
It is believed that football was first introduced by Tyndale Biscoe in 1891–92, who
was the founder of the Mission School in Srinagar. The JammuandKashmir
Football Association was established in 1964. In the same period, a regional football
team first time took part in the Santosh Trophy. Important football players who
belong to Jammu and Kashmir are MehrajuddinWadoo, AbdulMajeedKakroo,
IshfaqAhmed,BasitAhmad,MohammadRenbar, etc.
Two teams from the state play for the I–League i.e.RealKashmirFootball Club
andLonestarKashmirFootballClub. The Real Kashmir Football Club has became
the first Jammu and Kashmir football team to gain I–League promotion by
defeating Hindustan FC (Delhi) in May 2018. Other tournaments are also
organised in the state like The CRPF Football Cup Tournament, The Mufti
Mohammad Syeed Memorial Tournament, Premium Knock–out Football
Tournament, The Premier Division of the Kashmir State League, etc.
Golf
It is one of the most popular sports in the state. Kashmir region provides a number
of suitable locations and golf courses for golf lovers.Some important golf courses are:
Royal Spring Golf Courses
It is situated at the foothills of Zabarwan mountains in Srinagar. It was
commissioned in 2001. It is a 18 hole golf course. It was designed by the American
Golf Course Architect, Robert Trent Bobby Jones Jr–II. It was previously known as
Salim Ali National Park. In July 2012, for the first time the women’s golf
tournament was conducted in this golf course.
Gulmarg Golf Club
This place was earlier used as a holiday resort by the British, who then established
this place as a Gulmarg Golf Club in 1911 AD. The Gulmarg Golf Club is located
at the height about 9000 ft. It is the longest golf course in India. Gulmarg is known
asGolfingMeccaofIndia, which got this title after the establishment of a 6 hole
course in 1890–91 by colonel Neville Chamberlain. A land at Gulmarg was donated
by the Maharaja of Kashmir for laying out a golf course in 1901 AD, which was
known as the upper golf course. A 9 hole course was also established in Gulmarg in
1915 AD which was known as ‘Rabbits course’. In 1922, the first Golf
Championship was played at Gulmarg.
Kashmir Golf Club
It is located at Srinagar and is the oldest golf course in Srinagar. It is a 18 hole golf
course which is also considered one of the beautiful golf course in the world. A
renowned Golfer, Ghulam Mohammad is associated with the history of this golf
club.
He trained many golfers and was the first golfing professional in India in 1930 AD.
He trained very famous golfers of India, e.g. Late Billo PG Sethi, late Maharaja
Hari Singh of Kashmir, Late Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad and JS Pathak.
Paragliding
It is a popular adventure sport that attracts tourists to Kashmir, Jammu and Sanasar
where this activity is carried out. Training camps for parasailing and paragliding are
organised at Sanasar (Udhampur and Batote Ramban district). The best months to
go paragliding in Sanasar are May–June and September–October.
Polo
It is a traditional and ancestral sport, which is prevalently practised in the rural areas
of the state. It is particularly popular in the Ladakhregion. Almost all the rural
centres of the state have polo grounds. The Ladakh region got acquainted with the
game in 17th century, when the kingSinggeNamgyal introduced it.
River Rafting
Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its rivers and lakes. Rivers Indus andZanskar in
Ladakh region are two most famous rivers which provide best destination for river
rafting. River Lidder also has few stretches in Ladakh region near Pahalgam which
provides suitable locations for this sport. The best time for rafting in the state is
during summer time (between the end of June and late August), when the rivers are
full of water.
Skiing
Gulmarg resort is considered as the best skiing resort in the Himalayas and is
located inSrinagar. Two British Army officers established this resort in 1927 AD
and also set up the first skiing club in Gulmarg. Skiing races are organised in the
resort at the times of festivals like Easter and Christmas. In 1998, the first National
Winter Games were organised in Gulmarg.
It is the highest Lift–Served Ski resort in India. Here tourists enjoy Ski lifts and
Chair lifts which take skiiers up to the top of the ski slopes. From that place skiiers
are provided the options of beginners, intermediate and advanced slopes for skiing
sport. The resort is Asia’s only heli-skiing resort.
Trekking
Ladakh is known as atrekker’sparadise despite of its harsh weather conditions.
Most of the tourists, who visit Kashmir like to trek. The most famous of all trekking
routes in the state is none other than the Amarnath Yatra.
Sports Stadiums in Jammu and Kashmir
Some important stadiums in Jammu and Kashmir are as follows:
Sher–i–KashmirStadium It is located inSrinagar. The stadium is the home to the
Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association and Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Team,
which represents the state in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments in
the country. Two One Day Cricket International Matches have been organised by
the stadium in 1983 and 1986.
BakshiStadium It is located inSrinagar and is considered one of the biggest football
stadiums in the country. The stadium is home to the Jammu and Kashmir football
teams like Real Kashmir Football club and JK Football Club.
MaulanaAzadStadium It is located inJammu. It is one of the home grounds for the
Jammu and Kashmir Cricket team. It is located on the banks of Tawi river in
Jammu. The name given to the stadium is after the name of one of the legendary
freedom fighters of India, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad.
It has hosted many home cricket matches of the domestic tournaments. It has
hosted one One Day International Match in 1988. The stadium has also hosted one
women’s test match and one women’s One day International Match in 1985.
VishwanathanStadium It is located in theDrastownintheKargildistrict of Jammu
and Kashmir. In this stadium traditional Polo Championships are organised.
Department of Youth Services and Sports,
Jammu and Kashmir
The department came into existence in 1973.It conducts the following activities
in the state:
n
It organise domestic and national level sports competitions for school children.
n
It conduct physical education activities in schools.
n
It promote the talented children in extra–curricular activities and also adventure
sports.
n
It administer the only government college of physical education in Ganderbal
district.
Sports Awards of Jammu and Kashmir
Sher-i-KashmirAward This award was instituted in the year 1980 by the State
Government. It is given to outstanding sportspersons for their participation at
International levels who bring Laurels for the state. It consists of a cash prize of
` 51,000, a medal, a citation and a ceremonial dress.
Page 5


SPORTSOFJAMMU
ANDKASHMIR
CHAPTER28
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the favourable places for many
sports in India. The state offers different kinds of sports activities
to both, its sportspersons and tourists. For example, paragliding,
skiing, river rafting, trekking, polo, archery, mountaineering,
mountain biking, golfing, cricket and football sports.
Major Sports in Jammu and Kashmir
Major sports in Jammu and Kashmir are discussed below:
Cricket
Cricket is one of the important sports in the state. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket
team mainly plays for the Rajni Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. Jammu and
Kashmir Cricket Association came into existence in 1970. Sher–i–Kashmir Stadium
(Srinagar), Maulana Azad Stadium ( Jammu) and Gandhi Memorial Science
College Ground ( Jammu) are its home grounds.
ParvezRasool,MithunManhas andManzoorDar are three important players who
have played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kings XI Punjab in T20 IPL match. Jasia
Akhtar is a women cricketer who became the first womenofJammuandKashmirto
beselectedintheIndiaWomen’sNationalCricketTeam. The Jammu and Kashmir
cricket team won many matches, e.g. Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2017, Ranji Trophy,
2017–18, Zonal T20 League, 2018 and Vijay Hazare Trophy, 2018-19.
Archery
It is a very famous traditional sport among the rural folk of the districts of Leh and
Kargil of the Ladakh region. Many competitions are organised in the villages of
these districts, which exhibit the culture and tradition of the state. In Kargil district,
the competitions of archery are a serious affair whereas in the district of Leh, people
organise competitions with great zeal. Two Archers of Jammu and Kashmir namely,
MuhammadSufiyaanBhat andMudasirAhmadBhat won silver and bronze medals,
respectively, in the Indoor National Field Archery Championship, 2018 in Mumbai.
Football
It is believed that football was first introduced by Tyndale Biscoe in 1891–92, who
was the founder of the Mission School in Srinagar. The JammuandKashmir
Football Association was established in 1964. In the same period, a regional football
team first time took part in the Santosh Trophy. Important football players who
belong to Jammu and Kashmir are MehrajuddinWadoo, AbdulMajeedKakroo,
IshfaqAhmed,BasitAhmad,MohammadRenbar, etc.
Two teams from the state play for the I–League i.e.RealKashmirFootball Club
andLonestarKashmirFootballClub. The Real Kashmir Football Club has became
the first Jammu and Kashmir football team to gain I–League promotion by
defeating Hindustan FC (Delhi) in May 2018. Other tournaments are also
organised in the state like The CRPF Football Cup Tournament, The Mufti
Mohammad Syeed Memorial Tournament, Premium Knock–out Football
Tournament, The Premier Division of the Kashmir State League, etc.
Golf
It is one of the most popular sports in the state. Kashmir region provides a number
of suitable locations and golf courses for golf lovers.Some important golf courses are:
Royal Spring Golf Courses
It is situated at the foothills of Zabarwan mountains in Srinagar. It was
commissioned in 2001. It is a 18 hole golf course. It was designed by the American
Golf Course Architect, Robert Trent Bobby Jones Jr–II. It was previously known as
Salim Ali National Park. In July 2012, for the first time the women’s golf
tournament was conducted in this golf course.
Gulmarg Golf Club
This place was earlier used as a holiday resort by the British, who then established
this place as a Gulmarg Golf Club in 1911 AD. The Gulmarg Golf Club is located
at the height about 9000 ft. It is the longest golf course in India. Gulmarg is known
asGolfingMeccaofIndia, which got this title after the establishment of a 6 hole
course in 1890–91 by colonel Neville Chamberlain. A land at Gulmarg was donated
by the Maharaja of Kashmir for laying out a golf course in 1901 AD, which was
known as the upper golf course. A 9 hole course was also established in Gulmarg in
1915 AD which was known as ‘Rabbits course’. In 1922, the first Golf
Championship was played at Gulmarg.
Kashmir Golf Club
It is located at Srinagar and is the oldest golf course in Srinagar. It is a 18 hole golf
course which is also considered one of the beautiful golf course in the world. A
renowned Golfer, Ghulam Mohammad is associated with the history of this golf
club.
He trained many golfers and was the first golfing professional in India in 1930 AD.
He trained very famous golfers of India, e.g. Late Billo PG Sethi, late Maharaja
Hari Singh of Kashmir, Late Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad and JS Pathak.
Paragliding
It is a popular adventure sport that attracts tourists to Kashmir, Jammu and Sanasar
where this activity is carried out. Training camps for parasailing and paragliding are
organised at Sanasar (Udhampur and Batote Ramban district). The best months to
go paragliding in Sanasar are May–June and September–October.
Polo
It is a traditional and ancestral sport, which is prevalently practised in the rural areas
of the state. It is particularly popular in the Ladakhregion. Almost all the rural
centres of the state have polo grounds. The Ladakh region got acquainted with the
game in 17th century, when the kingSinggeNamgyal introduced it.
River Rafting
Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its rivers and lakes. Rivers Indus andZanskar in
Ladakh region are two most famous rivers which provide best destination for river
rafting. River Lidder also has few stretches in Ladakh region near Pahalgam which
provides suitable locations for this sport. The best time for rafting in the state is
during summer time (between the end of June and late August), when the rivers are
full of water.
Skiing
Gulmarg resort is considered as the best skiing resort in the Himalayas and is
located inSrinagar. Two British Army officers established this resort in 1927 AD
and also set up the first skiing club in Gulmarg. Skiing races are organised in the
resort at the times of festivals like Easter and Christmas. In 1998, the first National
Winter Games were organised in Gulmarg.
It is the highest Lift–Served Ski resort in India. Here tourists enjoy Ski lifts and
Chair lifts which take skiiers up to the top of the ski slopes. From that place skiiers
are provided the options of beginners, intermediate and advanced slopes for skiing
sport. The resort is Asia’s only heli-skiing resort.
Trekking
Ladakh is known as atrekker’sparadise despite of its harsh weather conditions.
Most of the tourists, who visit Kashmir like to trek. The most famous of all trekking
routes in the state is none other than the Amarnath Yatra.
Sports Stadiums in Jammu and Kashmir
Some important stadiums in Jammu and Kashmir are as follows:
Sher–i–KashmirStadium It is located inSrinagar. The stadium is the home to the
Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association and Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Team,
which represents the state in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic tournaments in
the country. Two One Day Cricket International Matches have been organised by
the stadium in 1983 and 1986.
BakshiStadium It is located inSrinagar and is considered one of the biggest football
stadiums in the country. The stadium is home to the Jammu and Kashmir football
teams like Real Kashmir Football club and JK Football Club.
MaulanaAzadStadium It is located inJammu. It is one of the home grounds for the
Jammu and Kashmir Cricket team. It is located on the banks of Tawi river in
Jammu. The name given to the stadium is after the name of one of the legendary
freedom fighters of India, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad.
It has hosted many home cricket matches of the domestic tournaments. It has
hosted one One Day International Match in 1988. The stadium has also hosted one
women’s test match and one women’s One day International Match in 1985.
VishwanathanStadium It is located in theDrastownintheKargildistrict of Jammu
and Kashmir. In this stadium traditional Polo Championships are organised.
Department of Youth Services and Sports,
Jammu and Kashmir
The department came into existence in 1973.It conducts the following activities
in the state:
n
It organise domestic and national level sports competitions for school children.
n
It conduct physical education activities in schools.
n
It promote the talented children in extra–curricular activities and also adventure
sports.
n
It administer the only government college of physical education in Ganderbal
district.
Sports Awards of Jammu and Kashmir
Sher-i-KashmirAward This award was instituted in the year 1980 by the State
Government. It is given to outstanding sportspersons for their participation at
International levels who bring Laurels for the state. It consists of a cash prize of
` 51,000, a medal, a citation and a ceremonial dress.
ParshuramAward It is given to 3 best coaches of different sports by the Sports
Council of Jammu and Kashmir. It consists of a medal, a citation, a ceremonial dress
and a cash prize of ` 51,000.
MaharajaRanjitSinghAwardandMedal This award is presented to the best State
Sports Associations and two veterans/experienced sportspersons/organisers carrying
cash prize of` 20,000 per person.
BrigRajinderSinghAwardandMedalforMen This award is presented to 15 men
getting one of the first three positions in the National Championships organised in
recognised disciplines under Sub Junior, Junior and Senior category. It carries a cash
prize of` 15,000 per person.
Madr-i-MeharbanAwardandMedalforWomen This award is presented to 15
sportswomen getting one of the first three positions in the National Championships
organised in recognised disciplines for women under Sub Junior, Junior and Senior
category. It carries a cash prize of` 15,000 per person.
ChiefMinister’sGoldRollingTrophy This trophy is presented to one best recognised
State Sports Associations of the Jammu and Kashmir State which have organised its
activities at different District of the State and participated in large number of
recognised competitions outside the State.
StateAwardtoOutstandingSportspersons This is the highest award of the State
Government for the outstanding players of Jammu and Kashmir. The award shall be
announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day Celebrations. Special cash
awards shall be given to the sportspersons of Jammu and Kashmir who win first,
second and third position or represent in National and International competitions
conducted by authorised sports bodies.
Famous Sports Personalities of Jammu and
Kashmir
Arun Malhotra
He was born in 1983 inJammu. He is a former Indian football player. He has played
with many football teams like Air India Mumbai, Bharti Sangha Kolkata, East
Bengal Club, Mahindra United Football Club and ONGC Mumbai. He is also an
international footballer who played two internationals in 2002–03 and also
participated in 2002 Asian Games. He was awarded the Jammu and Kashmir State
Award for outstanding sportspersons in the year 2008.