Says “sport misunderstood, urges parents and institutions to encourage participation”
Ahmedabad : For Abdul Rouf Dar, a physical education teacher from Srinagar’s Bemina area, standing as an official at the First World Yogasana Sports Championship in Ahmedabad is both a personal milestone and a reflection of Jammu and Kashmir’s untapped sporting potential.
Dar, who teaches at J&K Police Public School, Bemina, has also been associated with coaching young athletes, including local sportsperson Zabia, and has been actively involved in promoting Yogasana and physical education among students in the Valley.
Selected as an official for the inaugural global championship, Dar was the part of a historic sporting event featuring participation from more than 78 countries, marking Yogasana’s growing recognition as an international competitive discipline.
Speaking to Kashmir Horizon at the event, Dar said the experience has changed long-held perceptions about Yogasana being limited to India.
“People used to think Yogasana is only practiced in India, but here we have athletes from more than 75 countries. The level of competition is very high and it has surprised many,” he said.
He said the performances of international athletes had demonstrated that Yogasana has now become a global discipline with rising technical standards and increasing participation.
“This is not an easy competition. It is highly challenging. I have seen athletes with exceptional talent from different countries including Uzbekistan, Bahrain, Kenya, Zambia and Bangladesh. The sport is evolving fast at the international level,” he said.
Dar said the biggest misconception around Yogasana still persists in some sections of society, particularly regarding its identity and accessibility.
“I have seen that some parents still hesitate to encourage their children in Yogasana thinking it belongs to a particular culture or belief system. I want to request them to broaden their vision. Sports should not be seen through narrow lenses,” he said.
He added that parents and institutions must work together to support children interested in physical education and emerging sports disciplines.
“We must uplift children and support them so they can remain healthy, disciplined and confident. They should be encouraged to take part in such activities without hesitation,” he said.
Reflecting on the participation gap, Dar said Jammu and Kashmir has immense sporting talent but requires stronger institutional and parental support to compete at national and international levels.
“If I talk about Jammu and Kashmir, there is huge talent here. In my view, hundreds and thousands of young players can reach national and international platforms if they are given proper guidance and encouragement,” he said.
He added that he has witnessed growing awareness of Yogasana in schools where he has worked, including initiatives to introduce students to yoga-based fitness and discipline.
Dar also highlighted ongoing preparations for upcoming global events such as World Yoga Day, saying that efforts are being made at the school level to increase participation.
“We are preparing students for upcoming events, including World Yoga Day. If proper support continues, I am hopeful that next time many students from Jammu and Kashmir will represent India at national and international levels,” he said.
Dar’s selection as an official at the championship, he said, should be seen as a starting point for greater participation from the region in global sporting platforms.
“The message back home is clear: talent is abundant in Jammu and Kashmir, what it needs most is opportunity, encouragement and belief,” he added.
