J&K’s talented young fast bowler, Umar Nazir Mir not only made the red leather ball to dance, weave and sing with his magical fingers, strong wrist and high-arm action, but also forced the rival batsmen to dance on the music of the deliveries that either left their willow or their chin with a decent speed during a CK Nayudu trophy match against formidable Assam at GGM Science College Hostel Ground, here today.
Umar was simply hell-bent upon to either knock the rival batsmen’s heads off or their wickets down to help Jammu and Kashmir enjoy a driver’s seat at stumps on day-3 of the 4-day match. The strongly built, 6 feet 2 inch tall fast bowler, bowled his heart-out and hit the right areas with genuine speed throughout his morning spell to help Jammu and Kashmir bundle out Assam for a paltry total of 193 runs in 66.1 overs, thus gaining a decisive lead of 178 runs.
With this performance he made history as he became first bowler from J&K to take 9 wickets in an innings.
Earlier, resuming the day from 149/5, with overnight batsmen Sunzow Brahma and RL Das at 25 and 32 runs respectively, Assam batsmen struggled against Umar Nazir, who wrecked havoc, to collapse at 193 runs. Das remained top scorer with 44 runs, studded with 6 boundaries, while Brahma and AS Sinha contributed 31 runs each. For J&K, Umar Nazir took 9 wickets by conceding 53 runs in 21.1 overs, while another speedster, Mehjoor Ali Sofi claimed one wicket.
Though, after gaining a lead of 178 runs, J&K could have asked Assam to follow on, yet they decided against it and chose to bat themselves in the second essay. After scoring 197 runs in 63.4 overs by losing 6 wickets, J&K skipper Asif Khan declared the innings to set a target of 376 runs for Assam. Aamir Sofi emerged top scorer with 67 runs off 127 balls, including 2 boundaries and 2 sixes, while Asif Khan (44), UN Mir (31), Pranav Gupta (23) and Divya Pratap (17) were the other contributors. For Assam, PD Sonowal captured 3 wickets, while Krishna Das and MR Das claimed one wicket each.
Chasing a victory target of 376 runs, Assam in their second essay were struggling at 40/2 in their 8.4 overs. The two batsmen back into the pavilion were opener Rishav Das and Dipesh Sana, while another opener R Hazarika was unbeaten on 21 off 23 balls, studded with 4 delectable boundaries.
For J&K, Umar Nazir and Mehjoor Ali Sofi shared one wicket each. Assam have an uphill task at hand as they are still 336 runs behind having 8 wickets in their kitty with the last day’s game left in the match.
source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com / Daily Excelsior / Home> Sports News / by DE, Sports Correspondent / November 18th, 2013
Indian racing’s 10-year-old prodigy Atiqa Mir on Sunday created history by becoming the first woman in UAE karting to win a race in the Minimax category.
Indian racing’s 10-year-old prodigy Atiqa Mir on Sunday created history by becoming the first woman in UAE karting to win a race in the Minimax category.
In a competitive field of 14 drivers including seasoned European race winners, Atiqa was the lone female but that was hardly a factor as she completed a commanding victory from pole position in the prestigious DAMC Championship opener at the Dubai Kartdrome.
In the finals, Atiqa kept it clean and within track limits to cross the chequered flag before anyone else.
The win makes her the first ever female to take a pole and a final win in the MiniMax category, marking a perfect start to her Middle Eastern Karting leg.
Recognising her rare talent, Formula 1 had signed her for its F1 Academy DYD program earlier this year, another first for an Indian driver.
“Im so happy with this win. Dubai Kartdrome is where I started karting so this track will always remain close to my heart. I got limited running in preparation for this race, but nonetheless I was still able to be on pace. Big thanks to my sponsors AKCEL Academy for all their support,” said Atiqa.
Fresh off a successful European season, Atiqa was in Dubai for a quick stop and will head to Slovakia next for Champions of the Future Academy Round 4 where she drives for the F1 DYD program.
Atiqa hails from a racing family with her father, Asif Nazir Mir, being a former Formula Asia vice-champion. She idolises reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen and her ultimate goal is to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source: http://www.sports.ndtv.com / NDTV & NDTV Sports / Home> Sports Home> Other Sports> News / by Press Trust of India / September 14th, 2025
Siraj ended the Anderson Tendulkar trophy as the highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets from five games.
Player of the match India’s Mohammed Siraj after India won the match against England on day five of the fifth cricket test match between England and India at The Kia Oval in London, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Following his brilliant effort vs England in the 5th and final Test in Manchester last month, pacer Mohammed Siraj was on Monday selected as the ICC Player of the Month for August. Siraj had snapped up 3 wickets in the 5th day of the final Test, finishing with 9 scalps, helping India win the match by 6 runs and tie the series 2-2.
“It is a special honour to be named ICC Player of the Month. The Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy was a memorable series, and it was one of the most intense contests I have been part of. I am proud that I could contribute with some important spells, especially in the decisive moments. Bowling against a top batting line-up in their home conditions was challenging, but it also brought out the best in me,” said Siraj.
Siraj ended the Anderson Tendulkar trophy as the highest wicket-taker with 23 wickets from five games. Not only was he able to play all the games, but also kept his pace high through the five Tests and was able to come back and pick up crucial wickets spell after spell.
Mohammed Siraj takes the glory 👑
𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙏 unforgettable performance at The Oval earns him the ICC Men’s Player of the Month honour for August 2025 🏅
Ben Stokes, England’s captain, would hail him as a “warrior”, Joe Root would say he is “someone you want on your team”. Root would also observe that Siraj’s stares and verbals are part of a “fake anger”. “He has got this fake anger about him sometimes, which I can see straight through. You can tell he is actually a really nice lad. But he tries incredibly hard. He is a very skilful player,” he says.
Also, Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast was also named the player of the month alongside Siraj with the cricketer winning the award ahead of Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali and the Netherlands’ seam bowler Iris Zwilling.
Prendergast was named the Player of the Series in a home T20I series, helping win 2-1 against Pakistan. She scored 144 runs and took four wickets in that series and maintained her fine form in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, aggregating 244 runs and finishing with seven wickets in the month of August.
(with agency inputs)
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> edition India> News> Sports> Cricket / by Sports Desk / September 15th, 2025
Arafath Sheikh, 12-Year-Old Karting Sensation from Pune, Wins Rotax Max National Championships; Set to Represent India at World Finals in Sarno, Italy
Pune (Maharashtra) :
Crest Motorsports is thrilled to announce that Arafath Sheikh, a remarkable 12-year-old karting prodigy from Pune, has emerged victorious in the Rotax Max National Championships. His impressive win not only showcases his talent but also secures his spot to represent India at the prestigious World Finals taking place from October 18 to October 26 in Sarno, Italy.
Arafath’s journey to the top was anything but easy. Over the past six months, he faced tough competition across five rounds of high-stakes kart racing. His unwavering dedication, consistent fitness training,sim training and relentless pursuit of excellence have culminated in making him the fastest go-kart race driver in the country today.
Mentored by his father, Sayeed Sheikh, who shares a deep passion for motorsports, Arafath has honed his skills at Pune Kartdrome, a race track owned by his father. Under his father’s guidance, Arafath has developed into an exceptional driver and recently made history as the youngest driver to race for the Mumbai Falcons Racing Team, where he clinched their first championship in karting. His extraordinary talent has garnered him as a fully sponsored driver and the Indian hopes for next formula driver, paving the way for a promising future in motorsports with Mumbai Falcons a 4 times UAE champions in formula racing.
Arafath Sheikh’s impressive track record includes an astonishing 27 national podiums and 5 international podiums. He has been 3 times micro vice- champion and 1 time okj vice champion.Notably, he is recognized as the youngest Asian driver to begin racing at the tender age of 6. Starting his racing career in the Bambino category in the UAE, Arafath has maintained an unbroken trajectory in the world of competitive karting ever since.
Arafath current coach and head tunner Paul Carr(Age 67) had come to provide assistance from the UK .He has worked with 21 formula 1 drivers in the past as well including big names as lando norris. Suresh and Nizam were directly involved with Paul Carr for getting Arafath win this national championships.
As he prepares for the World Finals in Sarno, Arafath is eager to showcase his skills on the international stage and make India proud. The entire Motorsports family and his supporters & sponsors are excited to cheer him on as he embarks on this incredible journey for the world finals.
Speaking to arafath he would also like to thank The Bishop’s school camp for their support and blessings. His nutrition expert Aruna Prasad and physical trainer Dr Moses.
Join us in wishing Arafath Sheikh all the best at the World Finals as he represents team India on the global karting stage!
(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Partner Content> Press Releases ANI / October 03rd, 2024
The winners in various categories, standing from left, Shonal, Rivaan, and Shiv Tummala. Sitting: Ishaan. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Ishaan Madesh, a seven-time National champion across various categories, held off his sibling Rohaan in both the Pre-Finals and Finals in the Senior Max class for a grand double in the second round of the MECO-FMSCI National Karting Championship Rotax Max Classes at the CoASTT circuit in Coimbatore on Sunday.
Shonal Kunimal from Kozhikode (Birel Art India) and Pune’s Arafat Sheikh (Crest Motorsports) won the Finals and the Pre-Finals respectively in the Junior Max category.
Expectedly, Chennai’s Rivaan Dev Preetham (MSPORT) dominated the newly introduced Mini Max category, winning both the Finals and the Pre-Finals to complete a double, as did Shiv Tummala from Bengaluru (Peregrine Racing), who was an equally facile winner in the Micro Max class, where he comfortably held off his rivals.
Three siblings from Bhatkal, currently studying in Mangaluru, secured top honours at the State-level Karate Championship held in Moodbidri on September 1, 2025 The event was organised by the Shorin-Ryu Karate Association in association with Swami’s Strength Training and MK Ananthraj College of Physical Education.
Ismail Nameer, a 15-year-old student of Huda Islamia School, Mangaluru, won first place in Kumite (fight).
His younger brother, Hamdan (11 years), a student of Presidency School, Mangaluru, secured first place in Kumite (Fight) and second place in Kata in the under-11 category.
Their sister, Umme Kulsum, also a student of Presidency School, claimed first place in the Fighting category in the under-8 category.
The siblings are children of Nisar Ahmed Ruknuddin and Nada of Bhatkal, who are presently residing in Mangaluru.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / September 03rd, 2025
Syed Sadath, a Grade 10 student of The Mansoora School, Alur, Hassan, has been selected for the Karnataka team in the 31st Sub-Junior National Netball Championship 2025-26
Alur, Hassan:
Syed Sadath, a Grade 10 student of The Mansoora School, Alur, Hassan, has been selected for the Karnataka team in the 31st Sub-Junior National Netball Championship 2025-26. The championship will take place from May 25-28, 2025, at Alpine Academy in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. This event is being hosted by the Netball Federation of India in collaboration with the Netball Sports Association Madhya Pradesh.
The entire Mansoora School community, including management, principal, teachers, and students, extends best wishes to Syed Sadath and the whole Karnataka netball team for championship success, made possible under the exceptional guidance of PE Teacher Mr. Syed Touqeer Ahamed.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Sports / by Radiance News Bureau / May 23rd, 2025
Bicharpur Village (Shahdol District), MADHYA PRADESH :
Once known for illegal liquor, Bicharpur village in Madhya Pradesh is now a football hub, producing around 45 national players.
Learn how coach Raees Ahmed’s efforts kickstarted this transformation.
Almost a decade ago, Bicharpur — a village in the tribal-dominated Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh — was notorious for its rampant production of illicit liquor and narcotics. The primary source of income for many families was the production of liquor from the locally available mahua fruit.
“In this village, every house has been making kachhi shat (mahua liquor) for generations. They did not consider it wrong or illegal since it was deeply ingrained in their culture for a long time. Even children, regardless of their ages, were involved in this work. In fact, the villagers, including children, consumed liquor regularly; it was like their everyday tea and the medicine for any disease,” Raees Ahmed tells The Better India.
However, today the village has undergone a remarkable transformation, emerging as a hub for the rising stars of football . It has produced around 45 state and national-level football players — including Sanya Kunde, Rajni Singh, Laxmi Sahis, Anil Singh Gond, and Hanuman Singh.
Because every household in the village has a football player, it has come to be known as the ‘Mini Brazil’ of Madhya Pradesh. The journey of Bicharpur village from its miserable state to ‘Mini Brazil’ was orchestrated by former footballer and coach Raees Ahmed.
An unlikely football hub
Raees says that the Shahdol division has been a football hub for nearly three generations. The tribal children grew up playing football but without any formal training. Raaes, who has been playing football since the age of 10, was one of them.
“We used to learn football by seeing players in tournaments. But we did not have any formal training or guidance in the sport,” says the 53-year-old who grew up following Diego Armando Maradona — a professional football player from Argentina.
Earlier, the tribal children grew up playing football but without any formal training.
When Raees was in Class 8, he recalls, he played in the ‘under 19’ category at the national level. He went on to play football professionally at the national level seven times during his career. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1995, he secured a job as a sports teacher at a higher secondary school in Shahdol.
Then in 1997, he took formal training from the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Kolkata. “To be a player and to be a coach are two different things. Since I was a national-level player, I thought I was an expert, but I was under the wrong impression. There [at NIS], I realised I had very limited knowledge. I realised if I had known these professional techniques, I could have played at the international level,” he says.
Coming back home, Raees went back to his old job. A couple of years later in 2001, he visited the nondescript village of Bicharpur, roughly three kilometres from his workplace.
“I saw many children in this village playing football. They had the fitness of an athlete but lacked training and techniques. They did not know how to pass the football and when to hit the ball to score a goal. After speaking to them, I realised that they did not know much about the outside world, and suddenly, I remembered my childhood!” he adds.
That day, Raees decided to be the support he desired when he was a child.
Where there’s a will…
Every evening, post his office hours, Raees would set out for the village on his bicycle. He started training children in the age group of 8–12 years. But there was no formal set up for the ground and tribal children lacked basic amenities like shoes and jerseys. “Initially, I would dedicate half of my salary to arrange basics for them,” he says.
Raees says, Shahdol divisional commissioner Rajeev Sharma established at least 1,200 clubs in all villages across the Shahdol division.
Seeing a good response from the children, the coach also encouraged them to quit the mahua work if they wanted to seriously dedicate themselves to building a career in sports. “These children helped their families quit nasha khori (alcoholism) and switch to other works like labour jobs,” he informs.
Raees adds that by 2003, these children started playing in the ‘under 14’ category at the state and national level, and by 2004, girls also started participating in the sport. So far, the coach has trained at least 1,500 children, and of these, 45 have made it to the state and national level competitions.
One of his students, Laxmi Sahees, has been playing football since she was 12. She would tag along with her brothers to the football ground after school. She tells The Better India, “Initially, we went out of curiosity and for fun, but soon, we became so interested that we would rush to the ground for daily practice after finishing all household work.”
She continues, “Raees Sir told us about the tournaments for the women’s team. And within a year, in 2007, I participated in the national level competition and was selected in the first round. We competed with Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and UP and reached the quarter-finals.”
“Football has given me an opportunity to learn about the outside world. If I had not been into football, I guess I would have been married off at an early age and had a few kids like my elder sisters,” adds the 27-year-old who, so far, has played at nine national level competitions.
Raees and his students with Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Currently, Laxmi coaches 40 students from Bicharpur and nearby villages. In the recent Khelo MP Youth Games 2023, her students bagged gold.
Laxmi’s coach sir is extremely proud of her and her students. “It is a matter of extreme pride to be able to compete and be a state champion coming from a small village,” remarks Raees.
Over the years, Raees says, Shahdol divisional commissioner Rajeev Sharma also recognised the talent in Bicharpur and established at least 1,200 clubs in all villages across the Shahdol division. “Today, 80 to 85 football tournaments are organised in the division every year. By 2022, there had been a noticeable improvement in the local people’s quality of life. They now enjoy facilities like electricity, a professional ground, and an open gym. Additionally, the government provides a dedicated budget for the sport in the area,” he adds.
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the budding footballing talent of Bicharpur on Mann Ki Baat. “Just imagine — a tribal area, which was known for illicit liquor and was infamous for drug addiction, has now become the ‘football nursery’ of the country. That is why it is said, ‘Where there is a will, there is a way’. There is no dearth of talent in our country, but there is certainly a need to find and nurture them,” said the PM.
मध्य प्रदेश के शहडोल में फुटबॉल क्रांति नाम के एक कार्यक्रम ने यहां के युवाओं की जिंदगी बदल दी है। इसने न सिर्फ उन्हें नशे के चंगुल से बाहर निकाला है, बल्कि देश को कई प्रतिभावान खिलाड़ी भी दिए हैं। pic.twitter.com/AVSeAVcTs2
Raees still coaches students in the division, and now he’s joined by national players from Bicharpur who are mentoring new talent in the Shahdol division. For him, the village’s transformative journey has been emotionally inspiring.
“Whenever I watch my students on TV, competing against other skilled players, I feel nervous throughout the match. When our students win, it is not just their victory but also a win for me as their coach. It brings happy tears to my eyes. Now, my students are also training other children, and the happiness cannot be expressed in words. Over the past few years, the entire village’s atmosphere has transformed. We hope to produce many more national players from the entire Shahdol division,” says Raees.
Edited by Pranita Bhat; All photos: Raees Ahmed.
source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> English> Stories> Football> Rural India / by Shivani Gupta / October 09th, 2023
Former national footballer Syed Ahmed Khan passed away at the age of 64. He is survived by two daughters and a son.
Ahmed was a prominent player who represented the Police team for nearly three decades. His long career and consistent performance earned him respect in the football community. Teammates and officials remember him as a disciplined player who dedicated his life to the sport.
The Telangana Football Association expressed condolences to his family and acknowledged his contribution to the game. Football lovers in the region recalled his role in strengthening the Police team and inspiring younger players during his career.
His death is a significant loss for the local sporting fraternity. Community members paid tribute to his achievements and extended support to his family.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / September 01st, 2025
After the partition and independence of India, the contribution of Muslim faces in Indian sports is a fascinating story. It also sends a clear message that, despite the communal division of the country, all avenues remained open for Muslims in India. The nation saluted talent, not religion. The contribution of Muslims in the field of sports should be the subject of a dedicated book.
However, in this article, we present the 10 most successful Muslim sportspersons of India.
Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan
Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan
Cricket, the most popular sport in the country, has a long list of Muslim players like Ghulam Ahmed, Salim Durani, Abbas Ali Baig, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Farooq Engineer, Syed Abid Ali, Syed Mustafa Hussain, Syed Kirmani, Ghulam Ahmed Hassan, Mohammad Azharuddin, Arshad Ayub, Zaheer Khan, Syed Saba Karim, Mohammad Kaif, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Wasim Jaffer, Yusuf Pathan, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, and Sarfaraz Khan.
However, one of the initial cricketers, who happened to be a Muslim and shone like a star, was Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan, known as “Tiger Pataudi”. He became the youngest Test captain in the history of the game. He represented India in 46 Tests and scored 2793 runs.
In March 1962, he became the youngest Test captain at the age of 21 years and 77 days against the West Indies. His notable achievements include leading India to their first overseas Test match victory in New Zealand in 1968, which was also their first overseas Test series win.
Despite losing vision in his right eye in a car accident in England in 1961, Pataudi proved his mettle on the cricket field. Even today, Tiger Pataudi commands the same respect and popularity in Indian cricket as he did in the past.
Mohammad Azharuddin
Mohammad Azharuddin
Another Muslim cricketer, Mohammad Azharuddin, nicknamed “Indian cricket’s wonder boy,” earned this title right at the beginning of his Test career. In his debut series against England in 1984, he scored three consecutive centuries — a feat yet to be repeated.
Azharuddin played 99 Tests and 334 One Day Internationals for India. As captain, he led the team to victory in the 1990-91 and 1995 Asia Cups and reached the semi-finals of the 1996 Cricket World Cup. He captained India in three Cricket World Cups during the 1990s, which remains a record.
Syed Shahid Hakim
Syed Shahid Hakim receiving award from President Ram Nath Kovind
Once, India was a contender for the top slot in the World Cup Football and the Olympics. Though the situation has deteriorated, the list of Muslim footballers Taj Mohammad, Ahmed Khan, Yusuf Khan, B.P. Saleh, Syed Naeemuddin, Noor Mohammad, Rahmat, T. Abdur Rahman, Mohammad Habib, Mohammad Akbar, and Latifuddin come to the fore.
However, Syed Shahid Hakim comes across as one of the brightest and enduring football player of the post-independent India. He is son of Syed Abdul Rahim, who was once the coach of Indian Football team. A former Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force, S.S. Hakim’s international career highlight was the 1960 Rome Olympics. Although India didn’t progress beyond the group stage, a 1-1 draw against France was nothing short of a feat.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Hakim turned to coaching and later served as an assistant coach of the Indian national team. He was also a FIFA referee and officiated in the 1988 AFC Asian Cup held in Qatar.
Mohammad Shahid
Mohammad Shahid
In Hockey, a sport once dominated by India, several Muslim players made a mark on the game, including Akhtar Hussain, Aslam Sher Khan, Mohammad Shahid, and Zafar Iqbal.
Among them, Mohammad Shahid from Banaras earned the most fame. His wizardry in the 1970s and 80s — marked by agility and magical dribbling — turned him into a star at a very young age.
He was part of the team that won gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, silver in the 1982 Asian Games, and bronze in the 1986 Asian Games. He also played in the 1981-82 World Cup, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and the 1988 Seoul Games. He captained the Indian team during 1985-86 and announced his retirement from international hockey in January 1989.
Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza
Sania Mirza is the only Indian woman to break into the top 100 in singles and later became World No. 1 in doubles in Tennis. She won six Grand Slam titles — three in women’s doubles and three in mixed doubles.
Between 2003 and her singles retirement in 2013, she won 43 titles and spent 91 weeks as World No. 1 in doubles. Sania also won 14 medals (including six golds) in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Afro-Asian Games. In 2007, she achieved her career-high singles ranking of 27, the highest ever for an Indian woman. In April 2015, she became the World No. 1 in WTA doubles rankings — the first Indian to reach the top.
Syed Modi
Syed Modi
In Badminton, Syed Modi has been the most successful and popular Muslim player. He is regarded as one of the most successful Indian badminton players, winning the National Championship eight consecutive times from 1980 to 1987 — a historic feat.
He also won a gold medal in men’s singles at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games and international titles such as the Austria International (1983 & 1984) and the USSR International (1985). In 1988, Syed Modi was tragically shot dead in Lucknow.
Nikhat Zareen
Nikhat Zareen
Nikhat Zareen is the shining star of Indian women’s Boxing. Nikhat became a boxing sensation after winning gold at the 2011 Women’s Junior and Youth World Boxing Championships. She won silver at the 2019 Asian Championships in Bangkok, gold at the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul, and gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
In 2023, she won another gold at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship in New Delhi, becoming only the second Indian woman to achieve the feat twice. She also won bronze at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and secured a quota for India at the Paris Olympics, where she reached the Round of 16 in 2024.
Shama Parveen
Shama Parveen
Indian men and women have dominated Kabaddi in the world. Among Muslim women, the most prominent name Kabaddi layer is Shama Parveen from Bihar, who began her career in 2008.
She has won several honors at different levels. She was part of the Indian team that won gold at the 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship.
Nasreen Sheikh
Nasreen Sheikh
Nasreen Sheikh of Delhi captained the Indian women’s kho-kho team and became the second player in this sport to receive the Arjuna Award. She led the Indian women’s team in the South Asian Games, where India won gold. She was also part of the Indian team that won the inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup held in January 2025 in New Delhi.
India defeated South Korea, Iran, and Malaysia in the group stage, beat Bangladesh in the quarterfinals, South Africa in the semifinals, and thrashed Nepal 78-40 in the final. For her performance, she was awarded the
Alisha Abdullah
Alisha Abdullah
In Motorsports, Alisha Abdullah stands out among women. Alisha, known as India’s fastest car racer and the country’s first female bike racing champion, was born in Chennai in 1989. She was passionate about racing from a young age. In 2004, she ranked among the top five in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship. With her father’s support, she transitioned from car to bike racing.
However, after a serious accident in 2010 while riding a bike, she returned to car racing. She is the first female motorsports star in the country to receive a Presidential Award.
In Motorsports, Alisha Abdullah stands out among women. Alisha, known as India’s fastest car racer and the country’s first female bike racing champion, was born in Chennai in 1989. She was passionate about racing from a young age. In 2004, she ranked among the top five in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship. With her father’s support, she transitioned from car to bike racing.
However, after a serious accident in 2010 while riding a bike, she returned to car racing. She is the first female motorsports star in the country to receive a Presidential Award.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> The Changemakers / by Aasha Khosa, ATV / August 06th, 2025
