Over 350 athletes participate in three-day event; Ganderbal clinches overall district championship
Srinagar :Usha International supported a three-day Sqay martial arts event in Srinagar from October 29 to 31, bringing together more than 350 athletes and highlighting efforts to promote indigenous sports, preserve Kashmir’s traditional martial arts heritage and encourage grassroots sporting talent.
The event featured competitions in combat and artistic disciplines of Sqay, an indigenous armed and unarmed martial art originating in Jammu and Kashmir. Practised using a bargula (shield) and tora (leather-covered bamboo sword), Sqay has evolved from traditional self-defence techniques into a structured competitive sport with national and international recognition.
The initiative was organised in association with Usha Play as part of its efforts to promote indigenous sporting traditions and create opportunities for young athletes to participate in organised sports.
Speaking about the initiative, Komal Mehra, Head – Sports Initiatives and Associations, Usha International, said indigenous sports such as Sqay preserve a legacy closely connected with the region’s history, culture and spirit of resilience.
She said Usha Play’s association with such initiatives was aimed at creating awareness, nurturing local talent and helping traditional sporting disciplines gain wider recognition and appeal among younger generations.
The competitions were held across three disciplines: Combat/Fight (Loba), Khawankay, featuring preset artistic routines, and Aerosqay, performed to music. Winners across different age groups and categories were felicitated at a prize distribution ceremony following the conclusion of the competitions.
In the Cadet category (under 11), Mohammad Usman Rather secured the top position among boys, while Mie Aalima Jan emerged winner in the girls’ Artistic Aerosqay event.
In the Sub-Junior category (under 14), Shanaya Gigoo secured first position in the girls’ Khawankay-1 event, while Abid Ajaz won the boys’ Loba competition.
In the Junior category (under 18), Rayyan Bin Rizwan secured the top position among boys, while Maliya Zahoor emerged winner in the girls’ Loba event.
In the Senior category (above 18), Disha Pandith won the gold medal in Khawankay-3, while Faizan Shabir secured the top position among boys in the Loba event.
One of the major attractions was the Best Fighter Bout, also known as the Champion of Champions, in which participants demonstrated their fighting skills, technical ability and competitive spirit. Faizan from Shopian won the best fighter title in the boys’ category, while Madeeha from Ganderbal secured the honour among girls.
In the district-wise overall championship, Ganderbal secured first position, followed by Srinagar in second place and Shopian in third.
Grandmaster Nazir Ahmad Mir, Founder of Sqay and Secretary General of the International Council of Sqay and Jammu and Kashmir Sqay Association, said the growing participation of young athletes reflected increasing interest in carrying forward the traditional martial art.
He said support from organisations such as Usha Play helped create platforms for emerging talent while bringing greater visibility to indigenous sports. The event was attended by Chief Guest Dr Tassaduq Hussain Mir, Custodian General, and Guests of Honour Tariq Ahmad Wani, SSP Headquarters; Ghazanfar Ali Butt, Territory Manager, Usha International; Nisar Ahmad Qadri of Usha International; Ghulam Hassan Rather, Chairman, HKMC Ganderbal; Dr Firdous Baba, Chief, Sewa Sangh; Balbir Singh, former Assistant Director, Department of Youth Services and Sports, J&K; Sheezana Rasool, Founder and CEO, Agaaz International.
