Kashmir witnessed its first all-women boat race at Srinagar’s Dal Lake as over 150 participants made a strong statement for gender empowerment. The objective of this initiative was to promote talented women athletes and highlight the hidden talent in the valley. This unprecedented event attracted significant attention in the Kashmir Valley as it showcased the skills of women athletes.

Along with this, it also marks the beginning of a new era for women’s sports in Kashmir.

The event was organized by Bilkis Mir, renowned athlete and India’s first woman chief juror at the Paris Olympics, who has dedicated years to training Kashmiri women in water sports.

Speaking about the event, Mir expressed immense pride, calling it “a historic day”. Speaking to the media she said, “This was the first race exclusively for women. We generally see male dominance in sporting events, be it cricket or other tournaments. Such opportunities are rare for women. These girls came out of their homes to join this race and we got promising new talents. Now we are adopting 35 girls to train for national and international competitions.

Social media is filled with pictures of the incident. The race is being seen as more than just a sporting event – ​​it serves as a platform to identify and nurture new talent. The organizers selected 35 girls for future training aimed at national and international events. Additionally, special prizes were given to the top three racers. All participants received certificates and cash prizes.

The race saw an impressive participation, with 75 boats competing in the traditional event. J&K Rowing and Sculling Association President Burhan Bazaar expressed pride in the success of the event, highlighting the association’s commitment to promoting gender equality and equal opportunities.

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