SRINAGAR: Shariya Manzoor from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district has been selected to compete in the inaugural Asian Kabaddi League (Women – Chapter 1), becoming the first woman from Jammu and Kashmir to earn a place in the tournament, the Jammu and Kashmir Amateur Kabaddi Association announced on Monday.
The association described the selection as a landmark achievement for women’s kabaddi in the Union Territory and congratulated Shariya on securing a place in the first edition of the continental league.
General Secretary of the JK Amateur Kabaddi Association, Kuldeep Kumar Gupta, said the selection reflected years of hard work, discipline and dedicated training. He also congratulated Shariya’s coach, Arshid Rather, for mentoring her and helping her develop into a player capable of competing at the international level.
Gupta also acknowledged the support of JK Sports Council Secretary Nuzhat Gul for promoting sports in the Union Territory, particularly kabaddi. He said the effective functioning of Khelo India Centres and PMDP Centres had played a key role in identifying and nurturing young talent.
He welcomed the recent decision of the J&K Sports Council to sanction 10 new kabaddi centres across the Union Territory, saying the initiative would strengthen grassroots development and provide greater opportunities for aspiring players.
Highlighting the sport’s progress in Jammu and Kashmir, Gupta said two players from the Union Territory featured in the 2026 Pro Kabaddi League, while Shariya’s selection for the inaugural Asian Kabaddi League reflected the growing presence of JK players on national and international platforms.
The association extended its best wishes to Shariya Manzoor for the tournament and expressed confidence that she would bring laurels to both Jammu and Kashmir and the country through her performances.
