Category Archives: Sports

Sports Star Zia Maulvi Turns Mental Health Advocate to Serve the Nation

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Sports, Useful / HEALTHCARE, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

The rope skipping medal winner from Mumbai chooses clinical psychology over foreign degrees, returning home with determination to serve India through education and awareness

Mumbai :

Ten years after making headlines as a rope skipping champion in Dubai, Mumbai’s Zia Maulvi has returned to India, carrying not just medals but also a mission. At 24, she has chosen to dedicate her life to mental health awareness and service in her own country.

Zia first rose to fame in 2015 when, as a 14-year-old studying in the eighth grade, she represented Maharashtra at the World Inter-School Rope Skipping Championship in Dubai. There, she secured second place and brought home a silver medal. For two years after that, she competed at the national level and collected dozens of gold and silver medals before shifting her focus towards academics.

After scoring 78% in her SSC examinations, Zia pursued her education at Mumbai’s Sophia College, where she chose psychology as her special subject. Her interest in the field deepened over time, eventually guiding her towards international study. In 2023, she left for Canada to join Sir Sandford Fleming College of Applied Arts and Technology, where she successfully completed a two-year diploma in Mental Health and Addiction.

Despite opportunities abroad, Zia decided to return to India in April 2025. Explaining her decision, she told Clarion India: “There is not much awareness about psychology and mental health in India. There are also few psychologists, while I wish to serve the people of my country. My mission will be to try to overcome the growing trend of psychological stress and suicide.”

Currently, Zia is pursuing her Masters in Clinical Psychology at Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi. For her, studying in India means staying closer to the real issues faced by Indian society. “The studies in Canada matched the conditions of people there. But my people face different challenges. That is why I chose to study here, where I can directly connect with the needs of my country,” she said.

Alongside her academic journey, Zia has also excelled in martial arts. She has earned a black belt in karate, completed an instructor’s course, and qualified as a judge under the Karate India Organisation.

Zia’s journey from being a sports star to becoming a mental health advocate reflects not only her determination but also her deep sense of responsibility towards society. Those who once applauded her rope skipping feats now watch with pride as she dedicates her life to addressing psychological stress, depression, and the rising cases of suicide among young people in India.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India> Indian Muslims / by Team Clarion / September 11th, 2025

Shoaib’s journey from Naxal-hit Bihar village to Dubai cricket

NRI's / PIO's, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kothi Village (Imamganj, Gaya District), BIHAR :

Shoaib Khan with his trophy in Dubai

Shoaib Khan of the Gaya district of Bihar, has been selected in the development team of Dubai Capitals, the associate team of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals.

Shoaib comes from Kothi village of Imamganj, a Naxal-affected area of ​​Bihar. In his village, even basic facilities of education and sports were nearly missing, and, therefore, this is a dream come true for him.

Shoaib’s father, Adeeb Khan alias Jugnu Khan, is a farmer and social worker. Despite being from a Naxalite-affected and backward area, he always gave priority to education in his family.

A law graduate, Adeeb Khan, left no stone unturned in providing a good education to his children. In those days, there were no good schools in the village, so he got Shoaib admitted to Gyan Bharti School in Gaya city.

Shoaib with his team

From here, Shoaib’s passion for cricket deepened. Initially, his parents were apprehensive about his sports career, but they reconciled after seeing their son’s determination.

Shoaib’s elder brother, Altamash Khan, who works in District Disaster Management under the United Nations Development Programme, said that after playing at the school level, Shoaib also participated in district and state-level tournaments.

He joined Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, where he continued playing cricket while pursuing his graduation. Soon, he was selected for the university team and participated in charity matches and university development tournaments with many big players from the country.

Shoaib was disappointed after not being picked for the Bihar Ranji team. At one point, he had even decided to quit cricket.

It was when he stumbled upon the news that there was a vacancy in cricket in Dubai. Shoaib immediately started preparing to go there, and his father supported him. Soon, he was sending money to his parents. Gradually, Shoaib started playing in many clubs of Dubai and Sharjah and made his mark as a professional cricketer.

Shoaib’s hard work paid off, and now he has a contract with the Dubai International team. Due to his consistently excellent performance in club cricket, he has also started getting money for playing matches.

The Dubai cricket pitch has given a new flight to Shoaib’s dreams. He has also been honoured by the Emirates Cricket Board for his excellent fielding. Last year, he also received the Player of the Match and Best Fielder of the Tournament awards.

Shoaib performed brilliantly in his first match for Dubai Capitals in the ILT20 Development League. He played a blistering innings of 35 runs with the help of 3 sixes and 1 four in his first innings, giving his team a thrilling victory by 5 runs.

This performance not only gave the team its first win, but Shoaib also became the second-highest run scorer for his team. It is really unbelievable for a player from the Naxal-affected Kothi village to perform so well in the glittering T20 league of Dubai. When the news of his performance reached the village, there was an atmosphere of celebration there.

Shoaib Khan

Shoaib’s brother, Altamash Khan, said that if Shoaib performs well in the ILT20 Development League, he may be considered for the Emirates Cricket Board’s (ECB) auction for the International ILT20 2026 season.

Recalling his hard time, Jugnu Khan says that farming had also become difficult due to the fear of Naxalites. Despite this, he sent his children to schools in Gayaji.

He says when Shoaib was studying in a private school in Gaya, following his passion for cricket was not easy. During school holidays, Jugunu used to take him daily on a motorcycle to Gandhi Maidan in Gayaji, 100 km away, where he practiced.

All arrangements were made for Shoaib’s practice during his studies till matriculation. Later, the family got a pitch prepared on their farm in the village, where Shoaib used to practice regularly.

Shoaib started playing cricket at the age of 6. According to his father, this hobby was deep in him since childhood. At the age of 12, Shoaib established ‘Kothi Club’ in his village, Kothi, so that the children of the village could also enjoy cricket. He also got the ground prepared himself.

Father Jugunu Khan says, “There is a different passion for cricket in India, but the number of players is so high that it is very difficult to make a place in the national team from a backward village.”

This story of Shoaib Khan is not only about the success of a player, but it is also the story of the struggle of a family, the sacrifice of a father, and the big dreams of a small village.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Sports / by Naushad Akhtar, Gaya (Bihar) / September 08th, 2025

SSA Quadri Nadeem bags gold in Telangana State Shooting Championship

Sports, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Hyderabad: 

In the 8th Telangana State Shooting Championship in Shot Gun Events held recently, Dr. SSA Quadri Nadeem bagged a gold medal.

In the championship, Wasif Hasan Latif won silver whereas Mujahid Ali Khan bagged the bronze medal.

The championship was conducted by Telangana Rifle Association whose secretary is Rajkumar and the organizing secretary is Dr. Sabir Ali Khan.

The referee was Lalit Chowdry of the National Rifle Association.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / posted by Sameer Khan / August 06th, 2022

Tilak spoke with coach Salam Bayash from Dubai at crucial moment

Amazing Feats, Sports, World Opinion, , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Tilak Varma from Dubai stadium and a Young Tilak with his coach Mohammad Salam Bayash (Right)

New Delhi :

Indian cricket’s latest hero, Tilak Varma, whose unbeaten 69 against Pakistan clinched the Asia Cup for India in Dubai, owes his career to his coach and mentor Mohammad Salam Bayash, who spotted and supported him all through his training to his rise as a star.

The 14-year relationship began when Tilak joined a summer camp of Salam Bayash in Hyderabad. He played on a dusty ground with a tennis ball when Salam spotted him. He told his father, Namboori Nagaraju, an electrician by profession, that his son was immensely talented and that he must join a cricket academy.

Nagaraju told him that he realizes his son is extraordinary, but given his financial condition, he can’t even afford to buy him a proper kit, let alone join a cricket coaching academy.

Tilak Varma and Mohammad Salam Bayash in different years of their association

Bayash took a young Tilak under his wings. Not only did he waive all his coaching fees, but he also took responsibility for the transport. Bayash would ride his bike 40 kilometers every day to pick up Tilak at 5 am to travel to the academy in Lingampalli.

Within a year, and with Bayash’s guidance, his family shifted closer to Lingampalli. A hard taskmaster, Bayash told Tilak that he would reward him with a cricket kit only after he performed. Tilak did not disappoint him and won his first cricket kit.

Bayash told the media in an earlier interview, “Tilak Verma came to me in 2011 when he joined a summer camp. He is very hard working; has a lot of patience, follows instructions meticulously, and has a good mind,” Bayash told the media in an older interview.

When Tilak arrived from Dubai to a rousing reception in Hyderabad, he was always seen with his coach and mentor, ‘Salam sahib’.

https://twitter.com/rushiii_12/status/1972963322699075737

Tilak played the Ranji trophy at the age of 16 when he was in the Hyderabad team.

Recalling Tilak Verma’s early days, Bayash says, “I first gave him basic training, and after the third month, he entered a local match. He immediately stood out with his temperament and technique. He would practice for hours and happily skip family functions to come to net sessions. His discipline was amazing. He never missed a net session. We, the guru and the disciple, would travel around the city on motorcycles for matches. Even today, he meets all the boys and the staff with great love and gentleness. Success did not make him complacent.

“Tilak called me before the match. I only told him to stay at the crease till the end. I am happy that he did that, and today he has emerged as a hero. I am not surprised at his temperament because even at a young age, he used to bat for hours during net practice.”

He says that after the victory against Pakistan, he made a video call from Dubai International Stadium, the venue of the Asia Cup. He spoke to everyone in my family. His father, Nagaraju, and mother, Gayatri, are on a religious journey to Nepal. Earlier, people used to call him ‘Baish ka bolaga’, today I am happy that people know me as ‘Tilak ka coach’.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1973000243802165392

A major fillip to his career came in 2022 IPL auction when the Mumbai Indians bought him for a whopping 1.7 crore.

Born as Namboori Thakur Tilak Varma on November 8, 2002, in Hyderabad, Telangana, Tilak grew up in a modest Telugu household.

Despite financial struggles, the family rallied behind Tilak’s passion for cricket. His parents often went out of their way to support his budding career, even when resources were scarce. Tilak never forgets to credit his coach and parents for his success.

Tilak’s international debut came in 2023 against New Zealand when he top-scored for India on debut and later registered his half-century, becoming the second Indian to reach the milestone in T20Is. By the end of the series, he was India’s top scorer.

However, his most memorable innings came at Dubai, where he turned around the finals of the Asia Cup for India by scoring an unbeaten 69 amid a crisis situation for India.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by ATV / October 01st, 2025

TS Sports Minister welcomes ‘Shooting Star’ Abid Ali Khan

Science & Technology, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Hyderabad: 

Abid Ali Khan, the Shooting Star of Telangana, was accorded a warm welcome on his arrival, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Shamshabad, on Thursday.

Sports Minister V. Srinivas Goud and offcials of Sports Authority of Telangana were waiting at airport to welcome the shooting star.

After a brief ceremony, a smiling Abid Ali Khan, accompanied by his grand parents Dr. Shahed Ali Khan, Director of Cure Well Hospital and father Dr. Sabir Ali Khan, himself a national rifle shooter, Amer Ali Khan, News Editor of The Siasat Urdu Daily and Wahab Qadri received Abid Ali Khan.

A group of students from NASR School from where Abid Ali Khan has completed his matriculation received him with complete honour.

Abid Ali Khan has bagged Gold Medal in 50 meter rifle prone, men junior, and Bronze Medal in individual contest at the14th Asian Shooting Championship held in Doha, Qatar from November 3-13.

source: http://www.archive.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home / by Mohammed Hussain / November 14th, 2019

Indian MMA fighter Ehtesham Ansari talks about living in Dagestan and training at Khabib Nurmagomedov’s academy

Sports, , , , , , ,

JHARKHAND :

Ehtesham Ansari with Usman Nurmagomedov

Indian MMA fighter Ehtesham Ansari has signed a four-fight contract with Kazakhstan’s Naiza Fighting Championship. Ehtesham has been training in Makhachkala in Dagestan in a gym owned by former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Traditionally from a Wrestling background, Ehtesham Ansari is a 2019 National Gold medalist and a Silver medalist at the GAMMA Nationals.

The MMA India Show had the opportunity to chat with Ehtesham Ansari to talk about his life in Dagestan and also his experiences training in the Russian Republic.

Exclusive Interview with Ehtesham Ansari

When did you visit Dagestan?

“I reached at 27th September” 

Where did you initially trained? 

“In India I started training in Delhi at Knockout Fight Club under Mannan R Datta”.

Tell us about your Martial arts background and the achievements 

“My background is wrestling. Before that I participated in the Nationals where I won Gold. I won Silver in Gama National. Till date, I’ve participated in four competitions in total and  which I’ve won a Gold and a Silver.”

So you’re training in Dagestan in Khabib’s gym. What are the differences you found while training there?

“The techniques are very different here. The athletes are very strong. People say physically they are strong but I didn’t feel that. But the technical aspect is pretty strong. Their training schedule is also different.” 

Tell us the details of your training schedule

“Basically, the warm-up itself is very exhausting. The warm-up is also wrestling-based. The warm-up is amazing. The sparring they do is also pretty technical and cautious. Even if I do sparring for 10 years, it won’t cause any injuries. The problem with Indian athletes that they think sparring is a fight where the athletes injure their fellow training partners. Here we try to keep ourselves and our partners safe and the training regime is smooth. The sparring is done every day but stiff sparring will lead to injuries.” 

What is the accommodation like in Daegastan?

“We have a dorm here. I stay in hostel and Khabib’s gym is ten minutes walking distance.”

Are you facing communication issues due to the language barrier?

“Yes. There is a huge problem with the language barrier. Nobody speaks English here. 

So how are you dealing with the issue?

“I usually use Google Translate and I’m learning Russian language. I speak a little bit of the language to communicate. The words which I don’t understand I translate them.”

A few months back we spoke to Mohammed Farhad who competes in Brave. He had also gone to Dagestan for training. He said that the Olympic-level training standard in India is similar to the training in Dagestan. Do you feel the same?

“The athletes are technically very strong here. Even when I train with amateur trainees here, I fail to win. They are pretty strong. So you can understand that pro fighters are likely to be even more stronger than them. “

Are you only sparring there or you are also focussing on striking?

“I’m doing proper MMA training. I also train at Abdulrashid Sadulaev’s wrestling academy two days a week. A lot of trainees go there and training is according to several weight classes. Athletes can train according to their needs whether it’s wrestling or any other aspect of MMA.”

Where are you located in Dagestan?

“I’m in the capital, Makhachkala.”

In India, many aspiring MMA fighters are inspired by UFC stars like Khabib and Conor McGregor. Can you share the procedure for the aspiring athletes who want to visit Dagestan?

“A visa permit for a longer duration is difficult to get. I had a conversation with my coach about wanting a training period for longer duration. The coaches here don’t get the time to train a huge number of athletes. But, coaches can personally invite. However, that would be also for three months. Athletes can get Business Visa and train here for three months. The first time I visited the gym here, the security guards sent me back before saying that the gym is already full. My friend here, Islam had helped me to have a word with the coach. The next day, I came here with one of my Russian friend who helped me get the admission. I was asked basic questions regarding my accommodation, food and the language barrier. I paid the fees and got the membership card for training.” 

You also recently signed a four-fight deal with Naiza Fighting Championship, please tell us something about that?

When I visited Dagestan last time, I had a friend who was competing in Naiza Fighting Championship. I told him to put in a good word for me and eventually I had gotten a fight, but unfortunately the fight got postponed as my opponent suffered an injury. But when I returned back to Dagestan again, the promotion contacted me and offered me a four-fight contract. I will also be getting four-fights a year and I will be getting a pay increment of $1000 after every fight.

source: http://www.mmaindia.com / MMAIndia.com / Home> Articles> Indian MMA> Exclusive Interviews> Features> News / by Bishal Roy / November 10th, 2022

Sabir Ali, Iron Man of India, passes away at the age of 67

Amazing Feats, Arjuna Awards (since 01st January 2024), Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HARYANA / NEW DELHI :

‘Ironman of India’ Sabir Ali, who won the decathlon gold at the 1981 Asian Athletics Championships in Tokyo, passed away.

Ali won eight consecutive Open National titles in the gruelling event between 1979 and 1985. The Railways star was unbeatable at the Inter-State meets too – he represented Haryana — which he won twice in 1979 and 1981. His pet event was the javelin throw. Ali won a bronze and silver at the World Railway meets in 1981 and ’85 and was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1981. Ali, who grew up in Delhi, is survived by his wife, son and daughter.

‘Ironman of India’ Sabir Ali, who won the decathlon gold at the 1981 Asian Athletics Championships in Tokyo, passed away. He was 67. Ali, who retired from Railways, won the title in the Japanese capital with a tally of 7,253 points beating Japan’s Nobuya Saito (7,078) and China’s Zu Qilin (7,074). He also won two silver medals at the South Asian Federation Games held in Kathmandu and Dhaka.

What is Decathlon :

Decathlon is a combined athletic event consisting of 10 track and field disciplines. Under this, various competitions are held over two days, including the 100-meter race, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400 meters on the first day, while the 110-meter hurdle race, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1,500 meters on the second day

source: http://www.currentaffairs.adda247.com / Adda 247 Current Affairs / by Sumit Arora (and edited – What is Decathalon) / January 27th, 2023

From Mumbai Slum to Indian Navy: Boxer Usman Ansari Dreams of Olympic Glory

Sports, , , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Fighting poverty, lack of resources, and endless struggles of his youth, this young man has won several national and international medals

Mumbai :

Usman Ansari’s journey from a Morland Road slum in Mumbai to the Indian Navy is a story of courage and determination. Once a boy without proper shoes for training, he is now a celebrated boxer with national and international medals to his name.

Ansari, who studied at Madanpura’s Mohammad Umar Rajab Municipal Urdu School, developed a strong interest in boxing from a very young age. His school coach, Raghunath Daune, immediately recognised his talent and trained him with dedication.

Speaking to Clarion India, Ansari recalled, “I didn’t even have proper shoes for boxing practice. But I never gave up. My passion kept me moving forward.”

Ansari’s first big break came in 2016, when he participated in the National Boxing Championship in Varanasi. His performance earned him a silver medal in the finals, a feat that encouraged him to aim higher.

In 2017, at the national competition in Daman, he won a gold medal and brought pride to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The corporation recognised his achievement and honoured him.

By 2021, Ansari had moved beyond national competitions. In Europe, he represented India in an international boxing tournament, where he won silver in the finals. Over the years, he has won four gold, one silver, and three bronze medals across national and international events.

Coming from a poor family, Ansari often struggled with basic necessities. He could not afford the special diet or training kits that many boxers depend on. What carried him through was his determination and the guidance of his coach.

In 2024, his career took a major turn when the Indian Navy recruited him to play for their team. At that time, he was still in Class XII. Though he wished to pursue higher education, preparing for Navy exams left him unable to enroll in college.

Now serving aboard INS Mumbai, Ansari sees his position in the Navy as both a source of financial stability and professional growth.

“If I were not a boxer, I would never have reached the Navy,” he said. “Sports changed my life. It gave me respect, good health, and a job. The Navy gave me better facilities for training.”

Ansari’s ultimate dream is to represent the Indian Navy and the country in the Olympic Games. His training schedule is intense — practicing two sessions daily, each lasting three hours.

“Now I want to bring an Olympic medal for my country,” he said with determination. “That is why I give all my time and energy to boxing.”

For many young Indian Muslims, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, Ansari’s rise is a symbol of hope. From a childhood in a crowded slum to the decks of INS Mumbai, he proves that hard work can overcome poverty and prejudice.

Coach Raghunath Daune proudly said, “From the first day, I knew Usman had talent. He never allowed his poverty to become an excuse. I believe he will bring India an Olympic medal.”

Ansari continues to inspire not only his community but the entire nation, showing how perseverance and passion can turn a struggling child into a symbol of national pride.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India> Indian Muslim / by Team Clarion / September 25th, 2025

Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul: The Only Muslim Woman In India’s Constituent Assembly | #IndianWomenInHistory

Amazing Feats, Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri Award (since January 01st, 2024), Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, Royal Families, PreIndependence -Descendants (wef. Jan 02nd,2022), Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, ,

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH :

Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul was one of the 28 Muslim League members to join the Constituent Assembly of undivided India, and she was the only Muslim woman to be a part of the assembly.

Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul was born to the royal family of Malerkotla (situated in erstwhile united Punjab) on 4th April,  1908. Her father was Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Khan. Qudsia had a progressive upbringing and was encouraged from a very early age to lead a modern life, as opposed to several stringent restrictions imposed upon other contemporary Muslim women, such as that of the purdah.

She got married at quite an early age to Nawaab Aizaz Rasul from the erstwhile province of Awadh. Her husband held the position of a taluqdar,  or a landowner. Qudsia had political exposure both before and after marriage, and her formal political participation took place after she got married.

Image Source: Wikivividly

Political Career

Qudsia, along with her husband, joined the Muslim League in mid-1930s, soon after the passing of the Government of India Act in 1935. This was also her official entry into electoral politics, as she contested in the elections of 1937 from the U.P. legislative assembly, where she successfully held her seat till 1952. Aizaz was one of the very few female candidates to have contested and won from a non-reserved constituency during the pre-independent times.

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She was the first Indian woman to achieve such feats, and this was truly commendable and noteworthy at a time when most formal political positions were almost implicitly reserved for men.

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As an MLA, she also held several important posts, such as the Leader of Opposition (1950 to 1952) and the Deputy President of the Council (1937 to 1940). She was the first Indian woman to achieve such feats, and this was truly commendable and noteworthy at a time when most formal political positions were almost implicitly reserved for men. Moreover, to rise to prominence at a politically significant province such as the U.P. indeed made Qudsia Aizaz Rasul a trailblazer.

Image Source: Indian Express

She is well known for her progressive, anti-feudal stances, such as the abolition of the zamindari system. Qudsia was a strong advocate for the abolition of communal electorates as well, as she believed it divided the society more than it united – which was counterproductive for the Indian electoral candidates at a time when there was an urgent need of a united Indian front to oppose the colonial rulers. She went on to create a strong and convincing case for the abolition of electoral reservations for religious minorities during her tenure as a member of the Constituent Assembly.

Qudsia was one of the 28 Muslim League members to join the Constituent Assembly of undivided India, and she was the only Muslim woman to be a part of the assembly. Her contributions in the assembly debates remain monumental till date and have been recorded in many official sources.

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Her contributions in the assembly debates remain monumental till date, and have been recorded in many official sources.

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After the dissolution of the League, she joined the Indian National Congress, and served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1952 to 1958. Later, she became a member of the legislative assembly of Uttar Pradesh from 1969 to 1989.

Other Achievements

Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul is also well known for her autobiography, titled From Purdah to Parliament: A Muslim Woman in Indian Politics. It provides excellent insights into the intersectional aspects of organised politics as it functions in our country. Other than this, she also wrote a travelogue titled Three Weeks in Japan.

Besides her literary prowess, Qudsia had also served as the President of the Indian Women Hockey Federation for over fifteen years, and went on to become the President of the Asian Women’s Hockey Federation.

Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2000 for immense, invaluable contributions to the field of social work.

References

1. From Purdah to Parliament: Begum Aizaz Rasul (A Review) by Radhika Bordia
2. Begum Aizaz Rasul: The only Muslim woman to oppose minority reservations in the Constituent Assembly by Christina George

source: http://www.feminisminindia.com / Feminism in India – FII / Home / by Ekata Lahiri / February 15th, 2019

Kashmiri MMA fighter Owais Yaqoob wins international championship

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Muran Village (Pulwama District), JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Owais Yaqoob’s moment of victory at Guangzhou, China

New Delhi :

Owais Yaqoob, a 26-year-old mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, registered a win at an international competition in China by defeating Ian Paul “Choco” Lora of the Philippines, on Friday

He was fighting under the Bahrain-based BRAVE Combat Federation in China’s Guongzhou.

Born in Muran, a village surrounded by apple orchards, some 6 km from Pulwama town,  Owais has been active in sports since his childhood.

Just 3 minutes and 6 seconds into the match, Owais secured a takedown and then landed a barrage of powerful punches, knocking him to the ground. Lora surrendered and tapped out. This victory represented more than just winning a match for Owais. It was a dream come true, a dream that had come true after years of hard work, struggle, and dedication.

Owais Yaqoob began his martial arts journey in 2013 with taekwondo. Over the next ten years, he won 11 national gold medals, 6 silver medals, and 17 state-level titles. Owais’s exceptional performance earned him the titles of “Champion of Champions” and “Best Fighter Boy” in 2018.

In 2022, Owais participated in the WEKAF World Championships held in the Philippines, where he won a bronze medal and represented India in Filipino stick fighting (Eskrima). This performance established him as a world-class martial artist.

Owais’s inspiration for MMA came after watching a match featuring UFC superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018. Owais was determined to pursue a career in the sport. Before entering the world of professional MMA, Owais also won three national amateur MMA titles.

Owais shared his bout on X:

He made his professional debut in 2023 and defeated Mohammed Azim Mokhlis by unanimous decision in March 2024. He then defeated Shetty Pratik Sadashiv by technical knockout (TKO) in April 2024. His professional record now stands at 3-1.

Owais had, for some time, deviated into stone pelting but was counseled and brought back into the mainstream, and today is an example of how positivity can change lives in Kashmir.

According to Kashmir media, his victory was celebrated in his village, where people visited his home to congratulate his parents. Friends and family celebrated his victory by distributing sweetmeats.

“His victory shows what Kashmiri fighters are capable of on the international stage,” said Waseem Ahmad, an athlete from Pulwama.

Rouf said the win has strengthened his brother’s resolve to push forward. “Every fight is a test. It will embolden him to train harder and prepare for bigger challenges ahead,” he added.

His achievement has sparked interest among youngsters in Pulwama, many of whom now aspire to pursue MMA professionally.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Sports / by Aasha Khosa / September 21st, 2025