Patna: Amid a backdrop of tension and tragedy in the Kashmir Valley, a group of young athletes from Jammu & Kashmir delivered a different headline — one of hope, resilience, and triumph.
The boys’ volleyball team from the region clinched a gold medal at the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 in Bihar, defeating Uttar Pradesh 3-1 in a riveting final to open their state’s medal tally.
In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the final scoreline — 35-33, 19-25, 25-17, 25-21 — reflected not only the intensity of the contest but the spirit of a team determined to rise above adversity. For players Wani Mahir (Srinagar), Sahil Shamim (Anantnag), Abid Gulzar (Ganderbal), and Nasir Ajaz (Baramulla), the victory carried significance beyond sport.
Only weeks ago, the Pahalgam terror attack had cast a dark shadow over the Valley. But on the court in Patna, these boys played not with fear, but with fire. Their gold was not just a medal — it was a message.
“This win means everything. Back home, people needed something to feel proud of again. We wanted to give them that,” said Abid Gulzar, his voice steady with emotion.
Coach Naresh Kumar, who had previously guided the team to a bronze at the school games, called the triumph “a victory of heart.” He praised the discipline and dedication shown by his players in the lead-up to the tournament, noting that “this is just the beginning — they have a bright future ahead.”
Among the standouts was Wani Mahir, who has already represented India at the U-18 Asian Championships in Bahrain. “We just wanted to bring something positive back home,” he said. Mahir and teammate Nasir Ajaz have been training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) center at Jammu’s Maulana Azad Stadium, where they have sharpened their skills alongside senior national players.
Others have charted their own unique paths. Abid Gulzar, coached by his father Shamim Ahmed — a former India player himself — learned the game in his backyard in Ganderbal. Sahil Shamim rose through the ranks of local circuits in Anantnag, proving that determination can often outmatch access to elite infrastructure.
“From makeshift courts to national podiums — that’s our story,” said Sahil. “We hope it shows that even in difficult times, something beautiful can rise.”
As the team stood atop the podium, gold medals glinting under the stadium lights, it was more than a sporting victory. It was a triumph of youth, of courage, and of dreams that soar above the net — no matter the weight they carry.
