Bilquis Mir makes history as she becomes the first Indian to be included in the jury for the upcoming Olympics in Paris scheduled from 26 July to 11 August.
Let us take a closer look at Bilquis Mir’s journey to Paris Olympics.
Early Life
Bilquis Mir hails from the Khanyar area of Srinagar city. She did her schooling at SA Modern School in Barbarshah. Mir’s first dream was to become a boxer and recalls she would always punch a tree in the hope of becoming a boxer one day. However, at the age of seven, she started to attend water sports classes at Dalgate.
“That day changed my life. Though I was having a hard time balancing the boat, I knew I had found something I wanted to do again and again,” Mir said about her initial days at water sports classes.
Belonging to a conservative culture, Mir would always get scolded for returning home late from classes but that did not stop her from following her dream.
In an interview with ‘HerStory‘, Mir recalls the difficulties she had to face in a conservative society, “Back then, there was hardly any awareness about sports, let alone canoeing or kayaking. Additionally, women were not playing or having a sports career. So, it took time for my parents to understand, but they did come around eventually,”
After completing her graduation from Women’s College MA road, her attention shifted fully towards become a professional sportsperson.
Bilquis Mir’s Career
Bilquis Mir started her career in 1997 and won a medal in her very first attempt in a local event. She continued to wrack up medals and represented Jammu and Kashmir in 12 different national competitions. Her career went on an all time high when she represented India in the Asian Championships in 2007 and 2008. After the Asian Games, she passed an exam in Germany and emerged as second best judge.
In the following year, she represented India in the ICF Sprint Racing World Cup in Kayaking and Canoeing in Hungary.
Mir’s attention then shifted to coaching. She began her new journey in an Indian coaching camp held in different parts of the country. In 2011, she became the coach of Indian women’s team of canoeing and kayaking. Later she was announced as the coach of the Men’s team.
“People laughed and doubted if I could train them,” Mir said, “But I believe that if you know your subject well, no one can beat you.”
A couple of years later, Mir returned to Jammu and Kashmir and started training young athletes from the state. According to Mir, about 110 students won the national medals under her guidance.
In 2020, Mir was one of the judges in 18th Asian Games Canoe Sprint in Indonesia. In the 19th Asian Games held in China, she was one of the jury members.
Bilquis Mir makes Olympic history
In an already illustrious career, Mir reaches yet another feat as she becomes the first Indian to be included in the jury of Olympic Games.
“Bilquis Mir is the first person from India to be appointed as Jury member at the Paris Olympics 2024. Bilquis Mir’s selection to officiate at the Olympics is a matter of pride, not only for the country as a whole but the Jammu & Kashmir also.” the official letter from The Indian Olympic Association read.
Bilquis Mir was expectedly thrilled to hear the news and confirmed that she will also represent India as jury at the Olympics Qualifying rounds (Asia) for Kayaking & Canoeing in Tokyo and the 2024 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Samarkand.
“I am incredibly happy to announce that I have been selected as a jury member for three prestigious global events. Along with representing my country at the Paris Olympics, I will also represent my country as jury at the Olympics Qualifying rounds (Asia) for Kayaking & Canoeing in Tokyo and the 2024 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Samarkand, Uzbekistan,” Mir said.
Mir also encouraged women to step out of their comfort zones to create a bright future for themselves. She added that more Indian women are capable of representing India on the global stage and with the right guidance, they can fulfil their dreams of becoming a sportsperson.
Read More: Who are the Olympians from Kashmir?
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
