Srinagar: Pulwama’s Shariya Manzoor has been selected for the inaugural Asian Kabaddi League (Women – Chapter 1), becoming the first woman kabaddi player from Jammu and Kashmir to earn a place in the competition.
The J&K Amateur Kabaddi Association congratulated Shariya on her selection, describing it as a significant milestone for the Union Territory’s kabaddi fraternity.
Association General Secretary Dr Kuldeep Kumar Gupta attributed the achievement to Shariya’s dedication and training and also congratulated her coach, Arshid Rather, for mentoring the player.
Gupta also welcomed the J&K Sports Council’s efforts to strengthen grassroots sports through Khelo India Centres and Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) Centres. He said the recent approval of 10 new kabaddi centres across Jammu and Kashmir would provide greater opportunities for young players.
He noted that the sport has witnessed steady growth in the Union Territory, with two players from Jammu and Kashmir featuring in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) in 2026. He said Shariya’s selection for the inaugural Asian Kabaddi League reflected the increasing presence of players from the region at the national and international levels.
The association extended its best wishes to Shariya for the tournament and expressed hope that she would perform well in the competition.
