The Olympics represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement. It is an event on world stage which not only culminates the years of milestones achieved by a sportsperson but also embodies with it, an honor to represent the nation.
Kashmir, known for its world-class topography, has produced skilled sportspersons. Kashmir is geographically the crown of India (posited on top of the nation). And this crown boasts of two priceless gems who have represented India on a world stage.
In Olympics we have Gul Mustafa Dev and Mohammad Arif Khan who possess the pride of representing India on a world stage. These are the names that must be chronicled in the pages of Olympian history of Kashmir, India.
Gul Mustafa Dev
The first Indian Olympic from the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gul Mustafa Dev represented the country in 1988 Winter Olympics. Dev was born in 1963 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The enthusiastic skier’s journey had many stepping stones before reaching the world stage.
Gul first competed in National games in 1984 and leaving without a medal was the debutant’s first learning. In a video shared by ‘the quint,’ he recollected the experience and remembered how he was reflecting on where does he lack?,
“In 1984, the National Games took place and I took part in that but I could not get a medal. Then, I thought to myself, ‘I’m a good skier, why didn’t I win a medal here?'”
After few years, the meeting with Swedish instructor, Ana polished his basic techniques in the skiing and in 1986, he was once again at National Skiing Competition. This competition ensured him of his prowess in the sport as he won a gold and a silver medal at different events in the competition.
These accomplishments upgraded the skier from national to Asian level. In the year, 1986, as part of Indian squad, he participated at Winter Asian Games at Sapporo, Japan.
1988 -Most important turn in sports journey of this Kashmiri athlete was getting selected in the 3-member team for Winter Olympics Games. Becoming the first Kashmiri from India to present the nation on Olympics stage along with other two participants was the dream come true scene for Dev.
“It is every sportsperson’s dream to participate in the Olympics. It was the first time India was sending a team to the Winter Olympics. That was the first time, in 1988, before that no one had gone from here. Then we went there and skied and earned a lot of experience. No doubt we couldn’t put up a lot of competition for the top skiers because their physical fitness and ski equipment and everything… that we didn’t have,”
This was also India’s debut in 1988 Winter Olympics which doubled the pride of Dev. However, Gul Dev emphasized the need of financial support from Government. Last year in May 2023, he retired from the Youth Services and Sports Department of J&K and was given a grand farewell for his exceptional services as a skiing trainer of J&K.
He wants the youth of Kashmir who are talented enough to make it to Olympics and not stop just because they lack the expenditure for it. He exemplified, an international skier from Kashmir- Arif Khan in an interview with the quint, back in 2020.
Now let’s explore another Kashmir’s Olympian, Arif Khan’s venture to Olympics.
Mohammad Arif Khan
Arif Khan is the second Kashmiri Olympian after Gul Dev to represent Indian at Olympics. He is a resident of skiing hub of Kashmir, Gulmarg. The 31 year old is an Indian Alpine skier who represented the country at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Slalom and Giant Slalom events.
Ten years ago, Khan began his journey in the slalom and giant slalom Alpine skiing at the South Asian Winter Games. And there in 2011, he won two golds at the South Asian Winter Games.
Fast forward to 2021, the Alpine skier, Mohammad Arif Khan became the solo athlete from India to earn a place at Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in slalom. He also won an Olympic quota place in giant slalom at a meet in Montenegro.
Arif Khan set the record of being the first Indian (first Kashmiri as well) to win direct quota spots at two different Winter Olympics event. The Kashmir’s skier won the 45th position in giant slalom. This is the best ever result finished by any Indian in Winter Olympics history. Khan after the win told Olympics.com,
“It was one of my dreams to be at the Winter Olympics and this is my first time. It really means a lot. It’s a great message back to our country, to our people to join the winter sports in the future,”
Arif Khan now aims to participate in the 2026 Olympics.
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Tabinda Mir is a writer from Kashmir. She is an English Honours graduate and her interests primarily dwell in poetry and sports writing. She likes to cover Cricket as an avid fan. Apart from sports, her other publications include articles, poems and a letter to summer in the book titled, “Under The Summer Skies”.
Also, her leisure time activities include reading novels, poetry, non literary works, philosophies and writing poetry, short stories, articles on diverse themes.
