In a Muslim-majority neighbourhood of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, a women-only gym run by trainer and weightlifter Shabana is drawing women from across the area. The facility offers them a rare space to exercise, learn about nutrition and focus on their health.
Shabana said the idea for the gym came from her own struggle with obesity and the absence of fitness centres exclusively for women. “I weighed more than 140 kilograms. We looked for a gym in our area but could not find one exclusively for women. So I found a gym for myself and later became a trainer there,” she said.
Her path was far from simple. She studied only up to Class VII and faced serious health complications at 19, undergoing six or seven operations, including the removal of her gallbladder. “I became isolated from everyone. I stayed at home. My husband supported me throughout,” she recalled.
Although the gym welcomes women from all backgrounds, it has grown especially popular among Muslim women owing to the area’s large Muslim population. The facility operates throughout the day and is staffed exclusively by women.
Members say the gym goes well beyond physical fitness. “When I come here, it is not only about fitness. It is also a way for me to relieve stress. This place feels like a second home,” said one homemaker.
Women also receive guidance on nutrition. “We take care of our husbands and families but rarely take care of our own health. After coming here, we realised there was so much to learn about nutrition,” said another member.
One member lost 13 kilograms after three Caesarean sections, training under careful supervision. She initially kept her gym visits secret from her family, telling them she was going for a walk. After winning first prize in a skipping competition held at the gym, she revealed the truth. “They were all very happy,” she said.
The women exercise wearing hijabs and, in some cases, burqas. Members said the clothing does not prevent them from working out effectively.
Unlike many commercial fitness centres, the gym relies largely on floor-based workouts rather than expensive machines. “Everyone thinks you need machines to lose weight. That is not true. Most exercises can be done through floor workouts,” Shabana said.
Shabana also competes in weightlifting and has participated in the sport for five years. She faced strong opposition when she launched the facility. “People asked me how I could stand here alone from morning until night. But I ignored what they said. We had to move forward and prove ourselves,” she said.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence> Personality> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / September 26th, 2026
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has announced that squash players Joshna Chinappa and Shameena Riaz will each receive an incentive of ₹30 lakh for winning a bronze medal at the Asian Games.
The 2026 Asian Games began on September 19 in the Aichi-Nagoya region of Japan and are currently underway.
The Indian women`s squash team won the bronze medal at the Asian Games. In the competition, Tanvi Khanna won 3-1, while Anahat Singh and Shameena Riaz lost 2-3, and Joshna Chinappa lost 0-3 against the Chinese players.
Joshna Chinappa and Shameena Riaz, both from Tamil Nadu, were part of the team that won India`s 61st medal at the Asian Games.
Congratulating the Indian team and the Tamil Nadu players, Chief Minister Vijay said that the Indian team had won the bronze medal in the women`s squash team event at the 20th Asian Games being held in Japan.
He also congratulated Joshna Chinappa and Shameena Riaz and announced that the Tamil Nadu government would provide an incentive of ₹30 lakh each in recognition of their achievement.
The Chief Minister said that their success, achieved through their talent, confidence and perseverance, had further strengthened Tamil Nadu`s sporting achievements. He also said that their victory would inspire young people and women who aspire to achieve success.
He extended his wishes to both players for achieving many more victories in the future and bringing greater recognition to Tamil Nadu and India on the world stage.
source: http://www.livechennai.com / Live Chennai / Home / October 01st, 2026
Shameena pockets team gold on Wednesday a day after finishing with a bronze medal in the individual event at the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games.
Shameena with her father N Mohammed Riaz.
Chennai :
Shameena was around ten-years-old when she accompanied her father N Mohammed Riaz, former India hockey captain, to Madras Cricket Club. The trip changed her life forever. Hailing from a sporting family, Shameena was into skating before holding the squash racquet on that fateful day. Eight years later, she is still wielding the racquet hunting down medals for Tamil Nadu with the latest of them coming at the ongoing Khelo India Youth Games in front of a home crowd.
After finishing with bronze in the individual event on Tuesday, the 18-year-old teamed up with Pooja Arthi R and Deepika to beat Anika Dubey, Nirupama Dubey and Reiva Nimbalkar of Maharashtra to clinch gold in the team event on Wednesday. “One day I went to Madras Cricket Club in Chepauk with my father. When we reached there I just had a chance to play squash. Dad always wanted me to play any sport which I liked, The next day I got my squash kit and joined Indian Squash Academy,” Shameena told this daily.
She had represented the country in the World Junior Championship twice and won team gold at the 2023 National Games held in Goa. Before that, she bagged the silver in the team event at the 2022 National Games in Gujarat. The beginning, however, was not as smooth as she would have thought. A losing streak for more than a couple of years meant Shameena used to get demotivated. It’s then her parents and coaches played a key role to keep her motivated. “When I started playing squash, I competed a lot but kept losing, I used to cry and worry about losing but my parents never let me down. My coaches were always supportive. With his vast experience in international hockey, my dad used to keep me motivated,” she added. Shameena’s mother, Mehnaz, also played hockey and represented Tamil Nadu at national competitions.
Riaz, a renowned midfielder of his time who represented India in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics apart from playing two World Cups and winning a silver and a gold medal in the Asian Games, strongly believes Shameena can win laurels for the country in the coming years if she gets requisite support. “The Tamil Nadu government has helped her a lot but it’s not easy to bear all expenses as squash is an expensive sport.
I have requested the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu for financial assistance. If she gets it, she will improve by leaps and bounds. We spend more than `6 lakh annually for her. It includes expenses on her equipment, training, diet, nutrition and tournaments. A bit of support from the government can do wonders for her,” said Riaz.
And it’s not about squash only as Shameena is pursuing engineering in information technology. Always good at academics, she never compromised with her studies. In fact, it has always been a priority for her. “I have done well in my academics as well, I always learnt how to balance both. I learnt time management to ensure both of them get equal attention. Obviously, there is pressure as you have to win on both sides but my mom is always there behind me pushing and encouraging me to do good in both. She makes sure that I finish my studies and also come on time for training and do all my stuff here,” she said.
Riaz, a Hockey India selector for the senior men’s team and chairman of the Tamil Nadu hockey selection committee, is hopeful that the medals at the KIYG will not only motivate his daughter to do better but also fetch the desired financial assistance for which they have been longing for a long time. The ace hockey player is also playing his part at the competition as an expert coach for the state team.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sports News / by Firoz Mirza / January 25th, 2024
The star raider has cleared many hurdles and come a long way since taking to kabaddi when he was about 14; irrespective of the hardships, the sport has been a constant.
Inamdar on cloud nine after going all the way at the Asian Games. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
There was a moment in the second half of the Asian Games kabaddi gold-medal match against Iran when Aslam Inamdar made a daring raid deep into the opposition half.
His teammate Pawan Sehrawat groaned inwardly as he did so. India’s lead was narrow. Iran was still in the contest. It was a risk that could have gone badly wrong. “It was a bad decision,” Pawan would say later. But Inamdar made the dash count, securing two touches and emerging unscathed. The points brought India closer to victory. “It was a wrong move, but ant bhala toh sab bhala (if the end is good, it’s all worth it),” Inamdar said after the match.
He grinned when he recalled the sequence later. It had been a tough decision to make. Wasn’t he worried when he made that move? What would have happened if it had gone wrong? “Bhai, I’ve gone through things you wouldn’t even imagine. This is nothing,” he said.
That, in many ways, is the story of Aslam Inamdar.
There was a time when, as a 14-year-old, he travelled across Maharashtra in search of kabaddi tournaments without even having enough money for a train ticket. He slept under train seats, survived on stale vada pav or whatever food was available at tournaments. He sometimes stuffed leftover food which often spilled into his bag. “If there was work to be done, I did it. I’ve cleaned toilets. I’ve sold juice and made tea. I’ve worked in fields. If there was a kabaddi tournament to play, I found a way to get there.”
In Nagoya on Saturday, Inamdar stood on the mat as India beat Iran to win the men’s kabaddi gold. It is his second Asian Games gold medal. The distance between those two versions of Inamdar is difficult even for him to comprehend.
“It still feels like a dream to me,” he said. “I often think about how someone who didn’t even have food at home holds two international medals.”
The medals are the latest chapter in a journey that began at Takli Bhan in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district, where Inamdar grew up as one of five children.
His father passed away when he was young, leaving his mother to raise the family. She worked in other homes, doing household chores and washing utensils, to keep the family going. Later, his elder brother Waseem joined the police force and took responsibility, including helping arrange the marriages of their two sisters.
Money was scarce. Inamdar remembers growing up in a house without proper flooring or roof. There were times when even food was difficult to come by.
So, he learnt early that work meant survival. At 11 or 12, he collected discarded bottles and sold them to scrap dealers to buy food. Later, he worked at tea stalls and juice bars, washed utensils, cleaned washrooms and worked in farm fields. He admits he stole sometimes. “It was just to fill my stomach. I faced many hard situations without letting them break me,” he said.
Through all of it, there was one constant: kabaddi. Waseem was a well-known player across several districts while senior player Rahul Bhor also inspired him. Inamdar wanted to establish his own identity. “No matter how long I worked during the day or night, I always went to the ground to train,” the raider said.
Inamdar… a special talent | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Kabaddi was a sport he could afford. It required little equipment, and the village ground was enough. For a boy with very little money, it offered something priceless: a chance. By the time he was 14 or 15, Inamdar was travelling alone to tournaments to compete in the 50kg and 55kg categories. He earned between ₹200 and ₹500 a match.
The money was little, but it mattered. It bought him meals when he might otherwise have gone hungry. More importantly, it kept him moving from one tournament to the next.
The path was neither smooth nor uninterrupted. In 2014, while India competed at the Asian Games, Inamdar was at home nursing a fractured leg and following kabaddi on television. His life at the time seemed a world away from an international career. “I was just watching kabaddi on TV. But I believe God’s plans are always better. My hard work never stopped.”
He kept working. Eventually, the Pro Kabaddi League changed the scale of his life.
In his first season, he earned ₹8 lakh. For someone who had once struggled to put food on the table, the money was almost incomprehensible. “Eight lakh felt like eight crore to me,” he said.
He did not forget where he had come from. With his first major earnings, he bought a gold necklace for his mother. Kabaddi had given him something that had once seemed almost impossible: financial security, recognition and a career. He went on to captain Puneri Paltan and establish himself as one of India’s leading players.
Then came the international medals. Inamdar won his first Asian Games gold in Hangzhou. Three years later in Nagoya, he has another. And once again, the final was against Iran — the one opponent which has consistently pushed India hardest at the Asian Games. “Iran is generally the most challenging opponent for us,” Inamdar said. “It has a strong defence and has very experienced players like Fazel Atrachali, who played in his fifth Asian Games.”
For Inamdar, beating such a formidable opponent made the gold more meaningful. “A tough challenge makes winning the gold medal feel even more rewarding.”
But for Inamdar, the significance of the medal lies beyond the result. It is the culmination of a journey that began when he was a boy travelling across Maharashtra for a few hundred rupees, when he collected scrap bottles for food and worked whatever jobs he could find before heading to the kabaddi ground.
Today, he tries to pass on that experience to younger players.
At his training ground in Thane, he speaks to juniors, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, about his own journey. He wants them to understand that difficult circumstances do not have to determine where they end up. “I want young, underprivileged players to dream big and aim to achieve even more than I have. I want them to know that whatever happens, they shouldn’t stop working hard. They shouldn’t stop believing,” he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports / by Jonathan Selvaraj / September 28th, 2026
Salman Khan used to drive a cab in New Delhi, now he has a medal at the Asian Games. Alongside Satnam Singh, Salman won India’s first ever bronze medal in the men’s double sculls on Thursday, September 24.
Salman Khan (left) and Satnam Singh (right) win India’s first ever bronze medal in double sculls at the Asian Games. (PTI Photo)
Indian rowers Satnam Singh and Salman Khan won bronze in the men’s double sculls at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya on Thursday, September 24, securing India’s first-ever medal in the event. The Indian pair clocked 6:13.25 in the final to finish behind China’s Yi Xudi and Yide Nie, who won gold, and Uzbekistan’s Pavel Sorin and Mekhrojbek Mamatkulov, who took silver.
Satnam and Salman were firmly in medal contention for much of the race, staying second at the 500m, 1000m and 1500m marks. They were eventually overtaken in the closing stages, slipping to third in the final 500m, but held on to secure the bronze.
For Salman, the medal marks his first podium finish at the Asian Games and another major step in a rowing career that began only after he joined the Indian Army. Before he found his way into the sport, Salman was driving an Uber in Delhi to support his family.
WHO IS SALMAN KHAN?
Salman Khan was born in Pure Dhingai in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district and grew up as the eldest of four brothers and two sisters. His father, Mohd Kasim Khan, worked in truck-body construction in Tauru, Haryana, where Salman completed his schooling.
His life changed when his father died of dengue when Salman was 18.
With the responsibility of supporting his younger siblings falling on him, his plans of joining the Indian Army were put on hold. Salman instead moved towards earning a living, driving an Uber cab in Delhi and working day and night to help support his family.
His Army dream eventually returned.
A friend pointed out that Salman’s height and physical build could make him suitable for the armed forces. He handed the cab over to another driver and spent four months preparing for recruitment before clearing the recruitment rally, medical and written examinations.
Salman joined the Bombay Engineer Group in Pune on September 25, 2018.
It was after joining the Army that he was introduced to rowing.
Coaches Satywan, Satish Siraat and Prabhat Mishra noticed his physical attributes and encouraged him to try the sport. Salman was initially reluctant, as rowing was not something he had planned to pursue. But his coaches persisted and eventually put him into the boat.
His first inter-centre regatta brought a silver medal, giving him confidence to continue. He went on to win medals at battalion and inter-centre competitions before clearing the ergometer benchmarks in 2021 and earning selection for the Army Rowing Node at CME Pune.
Training alongside some of India’s leading rowers helped Salman see rowing as more than something he had been encouraged to try.
He twice came close to quitting the sport, but his coaches convinced him to continue. Senior coach Kudrat Ali and Training Officer Major Nagendra Hooda were among those who guided the next stage of his development.
The results soon began to reflect that progress.
Salman won gold at the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022 and also claimed gold at the 5th Indoor National Championship that year. In 2023, he won silver at the Senior National Championships and gold at the Open Sprint National Championships.
He also represented India at the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne in 2023.
Salman was inducted into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme in 2023, receiving Rs 4,09,100 in support under TOPS. He also received Rs 12,16,589 under the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition programme.
He won gold at the 37th National Games in Goa later that year before claiming gold at the Asian Rowing Cup in 2024. The result also earned him a promotion to the rank of Naib Subedar in the Indian Army.
His international record continued to grow, with silver medals at the Australian Rowing Championships in Tasmania and the Asian Rowing Championships in Vietnam in 2025. He also won gold at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand and the 42nd Senior National Rowing Championships in Bhopal that year.
The Asian Games medal was the next significant addition to that record.
India’s bronze winning team in men’s double sculls at the Asian Games 2026. (PTI Photo)
WHO IS SATNAM SINGH?
Salman’s partner in the historic bronze, Satnam Singh, also arrived at rowing after starting out in another sport.
Satnam was a national-level handball player before switching to rowing in 2018. Olympian Swarn Singh Virk recognised his physical potential and encouraged him to take up the sport.
The move quickly developed into a career.
Hailing from Punjab’s Mansa district, Satnam represented India at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, where he finished eighth in the men’s pair. He later established himself among India’s leading rowers and won the men’s single sculls title at the 40th Senior National Rowing Championships, becoming the first Indian Navy rower to win the event.
Satnam’s first Asian Games medal came at Hangzhou in 2023, when he was part of India’s men’s quadruple sculls crew that won bronze.
He added more international success in 2025, winning gold in the men’s quadruple sculls at the Asian Rowing Championships in Vietnam. He also won silver in the indoor Asian Championships in the men’s double sculls.
The pairing with Salman at Aichi-Nagoya came after India’s rowing team underwent a late reshuffle.
Satnam and Salman had initially been part of the men’s quadruple sculls crew but were moved into the double sculls, while other rowers were shifted between events. The changes came just days before the rowing competition and led to frustration among members of the Indian team.
The two adapted quickly to their new combination.
On Thursday, they stayed in the medal positions throughout most of the final before securing bronze in 6:13.25. For Satnam, it was another Asian Games medal. For Salman, it was the first. And for Indian rowing, it was a historic first in the men’s double sculls.
source: http://www.indiatody.in / India Today / Home> Sports> Asian Games / by India Today Sports Desk – Kingshuk Kusari / September 24th, 2026
Veteran shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan said India’s three skeet bronze medals at the Asian Games 2026 are a big boost for the LA Olympics, but felt the men’s team could have won gold.
Indian shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan said India’s three skeet medals at the Asian Games 2026 are a good step towards the Los Angeles Olympics, but the team could have done better. India won bronze in all three skeet team events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. It was a historic first for Indian skeet.
Historic bronze for the men’s team
Mairaj Ahmad Khan won his first Asian Games medal, a bronze, as part of the men’s skeet team with Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Bhavtegh Singh Gill. The team defeated Kazakhstan in a shoot-off with a score of 346 points. Mairaj returned to the Games in 2026 after competing in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
He has won three World Cup gold medals in New Delhi (2021), Changwon (2022) and Cairo (2023), along with a silver in Rio (2016) and a bronze in Cairo (2021). At the Asian Championships, he has one gold, two silver and three bronze medals. Speaking about the bronze, Mairaj told TimesofIndia.com from Japan, “Aur achha ho sakta tha. We could have won a gold medal. The stage was set, but no problem, next time.” He also spoke about his individual event. He said he felt tired. “In the individual event, hunger was not there. I think I was a little tired. I was relaxed, mentally tired, overworked. Maybe the calendar is so busy,” he said.
Women’s and mixed teams also won bronze
India’s women’s skeet team, comprising Raiza Dhillon, Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Maheshwari Chauhan, won a bronze medal, marking the country’s first-ever Asian Games medal in this category. Additionally, Anantjeet and Parinaaz secured another bronze in the mixed team event, achieving medals in all three skeet team events within two days.
Focus on LA Olympics
Mairaj said he is proud of Anantjeet and Parinaaz. “I am really proud of the way Anant and Parinaaz have performed. We are building a team together for the LA Olympics,” he said. Mairaj said his journey is not over. “I will not stop. Ever since I picked up the gun, I have felt that I could have done better. I have made some mistakes. The fight is on for the LA Olympics. Gold was the dream and it will remain the dream,” he said.
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Latest News>Sports / by Anishka Pandey / September 24th, 2026
Madhaipur Village (Pratapganj District), UTTAR PRADESH :
Shahnavaz Khan is now the first Indian man to win a long jump medal at the World Athletics U-20 Championships; Shaili Singh had won silver in women’s long jump in 2021.
File – Shahnavaz Khan in action during qualification at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Shahnavaz Khan bagged the bronze medal in the men’s long jump event in the World Athletics U-20 Championships 2026 in Oregon on Saturday.
Shahnavaz Khan bagged the bronze medal in the men’s long jump event in the World Athletics U-20 Championships 2026 in Oregon on Saturday.
This is now India’s third medal of the championships, following silvers from Ashish Yadav (javelin) and Basant Kumar Meghwal (high jump).
Shahnavaz is also the first Indian man to win a long jump medal at the World Athletics U-20 Championships; Shaili Singh had won silver in women’s long jump in 2021.
The bronze, though, might feel like a missed opportunity for Shahnavaz, whose best leap on Saturday (7.84m) was significantly shorter than his personal best (8.30m).
Similarly, R.C. Jithin Arjunan, the other Indian finalist in Oregon, too failed to get close to his personal best (8.12m), as he finished eighth with a best jump of 7.59m
Daniele Leonardo Inzoli of Italy won gold with a 7.97m leap. Silver medallist Australia’s Mason McGroder came agonisingly close to winning the championship, when he touched 7.96m (personal best) with his last jump.
source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / Sportstar / Home> Athletics / by Team Sportstar / August 09th, 2026
Nahida Manzoor, Kashmir’s first woman to scale Mountain Everest at the age of 23, says that she does not see many women in India interesting in mountaineering and she wants to change that.
Speaking to Awaz-the voice, Srinagar-based Nahida, says that women don’t have to necessarily scale major peaks like Everest. “Mountaineering is meant to give one the experience, test one’s mental and physical stamina and discover their own capabilities.”
Nahida taking a troop on a trek
“Adventure is not primarily about profit”, Nahida said.
“I believe India needs more trained mountaineers who are take encouraging people to experience the mountains as a personal responsibility. I regularly lead expeditions and longer treks involving groups of varying experience levels. Such trips can be challenging because participants differ considerably in speed, endurance and confidence”, Nahida shared.
Nahida heads Pampori and Daughters Adventure, a company through which she organises trekking, expeditions and outdoor activities.
Nahida Manzoor at Mt. Mahadev
“My approach is simple: nobody gets left behind”, Nahida believes. While leading a trek, she deliberately stays at the back of the group so that she can keep an eye on the slowest participants.
For her, the people accompanying her are her responsibility, and safety takes precedence over speed or reaching a destination quickly.
For Nahida Manzoor, mountains are not merely destinations to be conquered. They are spaces where courage is tested, limits are pushed and possibilities are expanded. A trained mountaineer from Srinagar, Nahida has transformed her childhood fascination with the hills into a career dedicated to adventure, trekking and encouraging more young people, particularly women, to enter mountaineering.
Her own journey demonstrates what becomes possible when training, family support and determination come together. From trekking around her Srinagar neighbourhood as a child to becoming the first Kashmiri woman to stand on Mount Everest, Nahida has often entered spaces where women remain underrepresented.
Nahida Manzoor at Mt. Sunset Peak
Her work has also extended to promoting adventure tourism in Kashmir. In 2024, she launched a paragliding venture in Barsoo village in Pulwama’s
Awantipora area, with the stated aim of creating employment opportunities for local residents.
Recently, she has climbed Sunset Peak, (4,745 metres), Shyn Mann Peak (4,300 metres) and Mount Harmukh, one of Kashmir’s most prominent mountains.
Nahida Mazoor at Mt. Sheen Myean Peak
In October 2025, Nahida recorded a scaled Mount Harmukh. A mountaineering summit registry records her ascent on October 17, 2025, at an elevation of about 5,142 metres.
Then came Mount Everest. In 2019, Nahida became the first woman from the Kashmir
Valley to summit Mount Everest. She reached the 8,848-metre peak with Sherpa guide Nima Kancha during her maiden Everest attempt. The expedition was not simply a physical challenge. Funding the climb itself was a major obstacle.
With the expedition estimated to cost around Rs 30 lakh, Nahida launched an online crowdfunding campaign after struggling to find sufficient sponsorship. Contributions from several supporters, government officials and organisations eventually helped make the expedition possible.
Nahida Manzoor at Mt. Friendship Peak
Her Everest achievement turned her into a symbol of determination for young women in Kashmir. But Nahida did not regard the summit as the end of her journey. Instead, it became the beginning of a larger mission.
Before it, she had already climbed peaks including Mount Deo Tibba in Himachal Pradesh, Friendship Peak, Mount Mahadev and Tatakooti Peak in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nahida’s journey as a mountaineer began when she joined the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhans to get trained in mountain climbing. She completed an advanced training, along with courses in skiing and rock climbing.
Her training taught her that climbing is as much about mental endurance and discipline as physical strength. This way Nahida, the girls amid Kashmir’s mountains turned her fascination for peaks into a profession.
Nahida Manzoor at Mt. Harmukh (5070 Mts.)
In an earlier interview, Nahida recalled deliberately carrying heavier loads during training to build stamina. The demanding preparation eventually helped her take on some of the most challenging mountains in the region and beyond.
Nahida’s latest expedition was Mt. Koh-e-Noor (South-West) which is 5146 mts. “This expedition was not only challenging but also meaningful and unforgetable for all of us. I am deeply honoured to become the first female climber to sucessfully summit Mt. Koh-e-Noor (SW) an add my name to the history of this mountain”, Nahida shared.
Nahida Mazoor at Mt. Koh-e-Noor
Her relationship with the mountains began early. Nahida started trekking when she was around 10 years old, exploring the hills around her home. During her school years, she was an all-rounder and participated in several sports, including badminton, volleyball and table tennis.
She was even selected for a national-level table tennis championship but could not participate. Eventually, it was mountaineering that captured her imagination completely.
The second of three daughters, Nahida grew up in Zewan on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Her belief that “there’s nothing that a girl cannot do” was strengthened by a family that encouraged all three sisters to participate in sports and pursue their ambitions. Her father, Manzoor Ahmad Pampori, played an important role in supporting her sporting interests. Nahida has often credited her parents for giving her the freedom to chase unconventional dreams.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Vidushi Gaur, New Delhi / September 22nd, 2026
The Class 10 student from St Joseph English High School wins silver in Kyorugi and bronze in Poomsae at the event
Mumbai :
Rania Rizwan Ansari, a young taekwondo player from Agripada in Mumbai, has won two medals at the 19th World Taekwondo Culture Expo held in South Korea.
Representing the Jalna Wala Sports Training and Research Centre, Mumbai, Rania put in a strong performance at the international event held at Taekwondowon in Muju County, South Korea.
The young athlete won a silver medal in Kyorugi and a bronze medal in Poomsae, bringing home two medals from two different competitions.
Rania is a Class 10 student at St Joseph English High School on Moreland Road. She has been practising taekwondo since Class 1 and has continued with the sport for several years alongside her studies.
Rania won a silver medal in Kyorugi, the combat form of taekwondo in which competitors face each other under competition rules.
She also won bronze in Poomsae, which involves performing a set sequence of taekwondo movements with attention to technique, control and accuracy.
Winning medals in both disciplines at an international event marks an important achievement for the Mumbai schoolgirl.
Her performance has also brought recognition to the sports training centre under whose guidance she prepared for the competition.
Rania’s development as a taekwondo player has been supported by coach Rohidas Shirke, an experienced coach associated with the academy.
Her training and preparation under Shirke have helped her compete at different levels and take part in major events.
Following her success in South Korea, the management and teachers of St Joseph High School congratulated Rania and her coach.
The school authorities also wished both of them success in their future sporting and professional pursuits.
Rania’s connection with taekwondo began when she was in Class 1.
She has continued training throughout her school years and has gradually moved from taking part in competitions to winning medals at major events.
Her latest performance in South Korea follows an earlier success in India.
In 2023, Rania won a gold medal at the District Sports Office (DSO) competition held in Goa after putting in a strong performance.
The gold medal in Goa gave her further experience in competitive taekwondo and added to her record before her appearance at the international event in South Korea.
Rania’s achievement is also a source of pride for her school and the local sporting community in Agripada.
Competing outside India requires athletes to adjust to a different setting, a higher level of competition and the demands of an international event.
For a Class 10 student who began learning the sport in primary school, winning two medals in South Korea is a significant step in her sporting career.
Her success also highlights the role of regular training and coaching in helping young athletes develop their skills.
With the support of her family, school and coach, Rania is now looking ahead to further competitions and hopes to continue her progress in taekwondo.
The two medals — silver in Kyorugi and bronze in Poomsae — have given the young player from Agripada an international achievement to add to her growing sporting record.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India> Indian Muslims / by Team Clarion / August 14th, 2026
Asif Iqbal Shaikh Jeelani, a qualified lawyer with an impressive academic background and a dedicated government employee added another feather to his cap by winning the gold medal in the 10 km cycle inter-university race at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (University) here. The prestigious award was presented by Dr. S.R. Gadakh, Vice-Chancellor of the University, on the occasion of Republic Day.
Asif, who holds postgraduate degrees in Urdu, English, Public Administration, and a legal background with LLB and LLM in Criminology, currently serves as ASO in the Office of the Comptroller at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. His academic achievements are complemented by his dedication to public service.
This isn’t the first time Asif has been recognized for his outstanding contributions. In the academic year 2014-15, he was honored with the Best Employee Award by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Furthermore, in 2018, Asif displayed his literary prowess by winning the first prize in an essay competition.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Asif is deeply concerned about the lack of Muslim representation in sports activities within the university. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth has a strength of approximately 4,500 employees, with only a meager 10 being Muslims.
Expressing his views on the matter, Asif said, “It’s disheartening to see that not a single Muslim participates in the sports activities of the university. As Muslims, we should strive to excel in whatever we do. Despite the challenges and pressures, we must discard negativity, stay positive, trust in Allah, and continue competing without getting disheartened.”
His recent gold medal victory in the inter-university cycling race serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that excellence knows no bounds. Asif’s message to the Muslim youth resonates with a call for active participation and a commitment to overcoming obstacles. His achievements stand as a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and a positive mindset.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Markers of Excellence>Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / January 29th, 2024
