Every year on August 29, India observes National Sports Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. His extraordinary feat in the field earned him accolades not only in India but worldwide, making this day a celebration of his legacy and a reminder of the transformative power of sports. In Kashmir a land nestled in the Himalayas, with a unique blend of culture, tradition and challenging geographies National Sports Day holds additional resonance. In a region where physical resilience is a daily norm and where sports has threaded through traditional martial arts, wintry landscapes and community resilience, the observance of this day is more than ceremonial. It represents hope, unity and the promise of empowerment through sports.

National Sports Day falls on August 29, honouring the birth of Major Dhyan Chand born 1905. Celebrated nationwide, it not only pays tribute to his legendary legacy but also promotes sports, fitness and the ideals of teamwork, discipline and excellence among all age groups. Across India, the day is marked by pledges to stay active, community events and awards that celebrate athletes. In Kashmir, these celebrations have become contextually rich, infused with local traditions and challenges. Kashmir’s cultural landscape includes age-old sporting traditions like SQAY, a martial art involving sword and shield. Revived in recent decades by masters such as Nazir Ahmad Mir. SQAY remains a symbol of Kashmiri resilience and heritage.

Given its terrain and climate, winter sports have a historic legacy in Kashmir, particularly in Gulmarg. Kashmir hosted the National Winter Games in 1996, 2004 and 2009. From 2020 onwards, the Khelo India Winter Games were inaugurated, with Gulmarg as a key venue. In the first edition, Jammu and Kashmir clinched the most gold medals, showcasing tremendous local talent. Local athletes have risen as national and international champions. Aadil Manzoor Peer, from Kupwara, excelled in ice stock sport securing multiple national titles and representing India in world championships, including the Khelo India Winter Games. Meanwhile, Gul Dev, an alpine skier from Jammu and Kashmir, became the first Olympian from the state who represented India in the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Jammu and Kashmir has also produced talents in various other disciplines: from cricket to shooting. Mehraj Uddin Wadoo and others have brought laurels at the national level. Additionally, Kuldeep Handoo, a Srinagar-born wushu coach, became the first person from Jammu and Kashmir to receive the prestigious Dron Acharya Award and was named ambassador of the Fit India Movement. In 2024, the Department of Youth Services and Sports conducted region-wise celebrations across all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Activities included district-level Judo competitions, fitness pledges and community matches, involving grassroots engagement.

In 2023, the National Sports Week August 21–29 was organized with events ranging from athletics and indigenous games to group competitions aimed at fostering unity and inclusiveness. Articles from local publications document enthusiastic celebrations across educational institutions. For instance, Amar Singh College hosted tug-of-war, races, chess, lemon races and plank challenges in August 2023.

Similarly, the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council organized multi-place events, including Yog asana championships in Srinagar and centres across districts, to pay tribute to Major Dhyan Chand and encourage participation among youth. Across the Union Territory, universities like the University of Jammu Islamic University of Science and Technology, Kashmir and Indian Institute of Mass Communication Jammu actively participated in the festivities. Their program lineups included fencing, wrestling, Gatka, Wushu, judo, carrom, table tennis, chess, marathons and more. In 2025, Sports Minister Satish Sharma announced a week-long series of events from August 29 to Community Fitness Day on August 31. Schools, colleges and community centres were tasked with organizing morning tributes to Major Dhyan Chand, fitness pledges, yoga, cycling, indigenous games and community walks.

In hockey, a young Kashmiri student, Inayat Farooq, became an inspiration for many when she broke into the senior national-level hockey championship: “Before college… I had never played hockey… Divisional sports officer supported and coached me. It helped to clear national trials… coaches and I convinced my parents…” These voices underscore a crucial truth: Kashmiri youth possess immense potential, but systematic challenges cultural, economic, institutional hinder sustained growth. To nurture talent, Kashmir needs investment in: Indoor courts with proper surfaces e.g., for basketball, volleyball. Dedicated sports academies across disciplines. Professional coaching pipelines and mentor programs. Celebrating sports like SQAY or winter disciplines not only preserves culture but creates pride and new local champions. Expanding such events as part of National Sports Day adds soul and identity to celebrations.

Mobilizing schools, colleges, community centres and local leaders through fitness pledges, weekend tournaments and storytelling can cultivate a culture of participation. 2025’s plan by Minister Satish Sharma exemplifies this approach. Highlighting achievers like Gul Dev, Kuldeep Handoo and Aadil Manzoor Peer provides role models. Awards like Sher-I-Kashmir, Parshuram and the Dron Acharya support those scaling up. National Sports Day in Kashmir is more than a tribute; it’s a canvas blending history, culture, aspiration and potential. The commitment shown in institutions, the success of local athletes and the spirit of traditional sports lay the foundation. Yet, the real transformation lies in bridging infrastructure gaps, supporting grassroots talent, empowering communities and preserving indigenous sporting heritage. With sustained effort, National Sports Day can evolve from an annual observance to the centre piece of a thriving, inclusive sports ecosystem one where Kashmiri youth, in every discipline, continue to rise and shine.