Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Dragon Boat team won two bronze medals in the Open Women’s and Mixed categories at the 13th National Dragon Boat Championship 2026, held at Bhalswa Lake in New Delhi from October 18 to 20.
The team was felicitated by the Jammu and Kashmir Dragon Boat Association in Srinagar on Wednesday. The championship featured more than 700 athletes representing 25 states.
Sheikh Junaid Mehmood, Inspector General of Police and CEO of the J&K Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, attended the felicitation ceremony as chief guest, while Waseem Ahmed Khan, Chief Sales and Marketing at Khyber Cements Ltd, was the guest of honour.
Mehmood praised the association for promoting local talent and providing athletes opportunities to compete at national and international levels. He also commended the medal-winning paddlers for their teamwork and encouraged young girls to participate in sports.
Khyber Cements sponsored the J&K team for the championship. Khan reaffirmed the company’s support for the association and its efforts to create opportunities for local athletes.
The association also congratulated coach Farooq Ahmed Bhat on his appointment as Ambassador for South Asian Countries to the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) Youth Commission.
Association president M. Syed Punoo, a retired IPS officer, and senior vice-president Er. Aamir Ali congratulated the medal winners, coach and team officials. They also acknowledged the support extended by Khyber Cements and J&K Police.
