SRINAGAR: Waseem Ahmad Bakshi, a para-athlete from Cheki Diaroo Drangnar village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, has been selected for the Indian Para Cricket Team, marking a significant milestone for Jammu and Kashmir in para sports.
Bakshi, the son of labourer Mohammad Sadiq Bakshi, met Deputy Commissioner Shopian Shishir Gupta at the Mini Secretariat on Monday, where he was congratulated on his achievement. The Deputy Commissioner lauded his success and expressed hope that his journey would inspire more youth to pursue sports.
Bakshi has been representing Jammu and Kashmir in national-level para cricket competitions since 2021 and has emerged as one of the region’s leading para cricketers. His consistent performances at the domestic level have now earned him a place in the national setup, and he is expected to participate in upcoming international tournaments for India.
Alongside cricket, Bakshi has also made a mark in athletics. He recently represented Jammu and Kashmir at the 24th National Para Athletics Championship 2026 held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, where he was the sole participant from Kashmir.
He has previously secured two bronze medals at a major sporting event in Uttarakhand and won a gold medal in the 100-metre race at the Vyom Apple Fest in 2023. Bakshi has also earned more than six medals at inter-college level competitions, highlighting his versatility across sporting disciplines.
His journey from a remote village in Shopian to the national and international sporting arena is being seen as a symbol of resilience and determination, particularly for persons with disabilities across the Union Territory.
