‘Water Queen of Kashmir’ will be the only Indian woman judge in Asian Games

Fighting all odds from Dal Lake waters to Asian Games podium. Kashmir water queen Bilquis Mir has achieved a unique position, will be the judge in the forthcoming 19th Asian Games in China. 

A Dream comes true, says Bilquis

The water Queen of Kashmir who had bagged many national and international awards in kayaking and canoeing had added another feather in her crown.

Bilquis Mir has now been appointed as the only woman judge from the Country for the upcoming 19th Asian Games, which will be held in China later this year. This will be the second time that Bilquis will judge international players in kayaking and canoeing at such a big sporting event of world.

Bilquis said "it is a proud moment for me and the women of the Kashmir Valley it's like dream coming true" She added "struggle always pays but one need dedication and focus if one has to prove his or her talent" 

Bilquis Mir commonly known as water queen of Kashmir has gone through a long struggle to reach this international podium. When she was at age of just 9 years, she had a dream of being an international figure in water sports. She started practices of kayaking and canoeing in world famous Dal Lake of Kashmir. But it was not that easy for her to peruse her dream. Apart from learning the game she had to fight many odds to survive being a women sport figure. Kashmir being a conservative society in 90ties girls were just allowed to dream their carrier as doctor engineer or educationist, but Bilquis dreams were out of box. She said when she started practice of kayaking and canoeing game she faced big hurdles, people use to tease her for opting a game which they think was meant for males only, but her mother took stand and backed Bilquis to peruse her dream.

Bilquis said " it's remained a tough journey especially in begging when I use to come for practices from home, I have to listen many taunts and even the area elders use to ask me that this not meant for girls, but it was my mother who supported and encouraged me and I fighting all odds continued my journey and see today am here" 

Bilquis in her carrier have participated in many international water sports events across globe she has visited almost 17 countries and represented India and brought laurels to the country by winning 6 gold and 16 other medals.

Bilquis started her career in water sports in 1998 as an ordinary girl and since then never turned back archiving one after another milestone in water sports. She is the only Olympic-level women's kayaking-canoeing coach of the country. 

Apart from being a top player she played an important role in promoting water sports among budding Kashmiri players. She has trained many national and international water sports players for country. 

She trained hundreds of boys and girls at the world-famous Dal Lake and in the last 4-5 years and is continuing to do so. Under her guidance the J&K team has won 82 medals at the national level. Bilquis dreams, his students excelling in water sports like her at the international level. 

His students are equally excited about being appointed her as a judge in the Asian Games.

"It's proud for us too that we are trained by such a great player, she had always been searching for an international player in her students" Villayat a student of Bilquis said.  

33-year-old female athlete of Kashmir Bilquis has become role model for thousands of Kashmir youths, especially girls.

Bilquis says "Girls of Kashmir are no less than boys in any field, but they need to be encouraged."

She works day night to make Kashmir water sports and players shine across globe. She is presently appointed director water sports Jammu Kashmir. Bilquis managed to get three water sports centres for UT, two in Kashmir and one in Jammu, which are equipped with best equipment of world. 

Bilquis says " My dream is to bring Jammu Kashmir and India on world map of water sports" she added " I am thankful to the Prime Minister and Indian water sports and canoeing and kayaking associations and Jammu Kashmir Government who provided me full support to flourish this game" 

Under Prime Minister fund Jammu Kashmir water sports got 6 crore package by which the three centres are constructed, and Olympic standard equipment was made available to players in Jammu Kashmir. 

Today more than two thousand students across Jammu Kashmir are practicing kayaking and canoeing in Jammu Kashmir water sports centres under the guidance of Bilquis Mir.
Last year Kashmir hosted first time ever national camp of water sports in world famous Dal Lake in June 2021. Jammu Kashmir government is now planning to conduct national games of water sports in Kashmir. 

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