Srinagar, October 5: Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, Ram Niwas Sharma on Monday described the participation of around 900 young women from 18 institutions in North Kashmir’s first women’s sports festival as a statement about the future of Jammu and Kashmir, urging the participants to compete fearlessly and regard participation itself as a victory.
Sharma was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the North Kashmir Women’s Sports Festival at Government Degree College for Women (GDCW), Srinagar.
Addressing the participating athletes, Sharma said the scale and enthusiasm of the event reflected the importance of creating greater opportunities for young women in sports.
“When you look and talk about 900 young women from 18 institutions, wearing the different colours of their colleges and schools, ready to compete, this is not just a sports event; this is a statement about the future of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Describing the participants as the “princesses of North Kashmir”, Sharma said their energy and efforts could contribute to the progress of the region.
“Your energy is our real and true wealth of our valley. You are so important to all of us that whatever you are going to do, you are going to take Jammu and Kashmir ahead,” he said.
Sharma thanked the college principal and the Department of Physical Education and Sports for organising the festival and said the initiative could develop into a lasting sporting tradition.
“Every tradition has a first year. Years from now, when this festival will be many years old—10, 12, 14, 15—then people will remember who started it and from where,” he said, describing October 2026 as an important milestone for the initiative.
Dedicating the festival to the daughters of Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma said promoting women’s participation in sports was also a measure of the progress of society.
“Whenever we have to assess any society, just assess the status of women in that society. So when you have given a sports festival for women, you have done a great work,” he said.
Encouraging the athletes, Sharma said their participation had already made them winners. “The fact that you made this journey already makes you winners. Participation itself is a win,” he said.
The festival, being held from October 5 to 7, features competitions in volleyball, kabaddi, badminton, table tennis, carrom, rope skipping and yoga.
Emphasising the role of sports in education, Sharma said sporting activities help students develop discipline, teamwork, leadership, physical fitness, sportsmanship and a healthy competitive spirit.
“Sports teach you how to lose with grace and come back stronger, how to win with humility, how to trust a teammate, how to stay calm when your score is against you and the crowd is loud, how to lead,” he said.
He said such lessons could complement classroom education and help students in their professional and personal lives.
Referring to the challenge of drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir, Sharma said greater participation of young people in sports could help channelise their energy towards constructive activities.
“If we move our boys and girls towards sports, then we are going to get rid of many ill aspects of society,” he said, describing sports as part of a broader effort to channelise youth energy.
Sharma said the National Education Policy 2020 recognises sports and holistic development as integral to education and added that the Higher Education Department viewed sports as an essential component of education rather than merely an extracurricular activity.
Addressing the women participants specifically, he said sporting participation could also help young women develop confidence to face challenges beyond the playing field.
“When a girl steps into a court in front of an audience, she is telling herself and everyone watching that she belongs there,” Sharma said.
Urging the athletes to respect the rules, referees and opponents, he encouraged them to compete without fear.
“Play fearlessly—whether you lose or win is immaterial, being on the field itself is a win. There is no shame in defeat, but the only failure is not trying,” he said.
Quoting a Kashmiri proverb, “Ye le van jee, te le van pee,” Sharma said a strong foundation was essential for building a strong future.
“Today on this ground, you are going to build the foundation of your future,” he told the participants.
“You are our wonderful stars of Jammu and Kashmir. We expect that you do well in life and make us proud,” he added.
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