HEROES OF KASHMIR : JABEENA AKHTER
In a culture where opportunities for women are few and far between, Jabeena Akhter is a real-life hero and an inspiration for the women of Kashmir. Jabeena, a resident of Qazipora in Tangmarg, is Kashmir’s first female Wushu Champion. In a bid to promote the sport of Wushu, and empower local girls, she has started a training programme in her community, where she is currently training 600 girls from Baramulla district. Jabeena, a 2017 bronze medallist in the Wushu International Championship, held at Armenia, is the first Kashmiri woman champion in this form of martial arts. She is also the brand ambassador of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” campaign of the Government of India. She is inspired by wrestler Geeta Bhogat and wants more girls to train in the Martial Art form of Wushu.
The Journey
Jabeena Akhtar started her journey in the year 2007, and made her way through the state, national and then to the international level competitions. Overcoming the various difficulties and challenges she stood firm and was determined to make her country proud.
Helping young girls to realize their dreams
Jabeena Akhtar setup her academy with the idea to make girls strong and provide them a safe environment. Jabeena enjoys serving as a coach for a game she loves. Because of her initiative more and more girls are developing an interest in this game after understanding its benefits. She strongly believes that the need of the hour is to develop dedicated academies for girls in every district of Jammu and Kashmir with good infrastructure to encourage them to undergo such training.
Challenges & positive effects of article 370
The biggest challenge for her as a coach is to overcome social barriers and financial crunches. She acknowledges the support of the government in helping her establish her academy and equip it with the necessary infrastructure, that plays a crucial role in developing sportsperson of international repute. The public-private participation model after the abrogation of Article 370 would be a great help wherein the government will provide financial support for building infrastructure and the private sector will look after its operations. After the abrogation of Article 370, the government has organised exhibitions, conferences and set up academies to encourage more youth to participate.
Way Forward
Jabeena Akhtar wishes to establish her own school where she can serve the society by sharing her knowledge with other girls. There are great challenges for girls in Kashmir to take up sports of their choice. It is the lack of facilities and social constraints that discourage them from getting the requisite exposure. With women consistently getting more opportunities for participation in wrestling, cricket, volleyball, hockey and Wushu. Jabeena believes that this has definitely given women a different place in society. Women are now cementing bonds with sports professionally. The positive outcomes of the Abrogation of Article 370 has far reaching effects specially for the women in Kashmir.
