MEHREEN AASHIQ OF SHOPIAN SHINES IN PENCAK SILAT, SELECTED FOR NATIONAL KHELO WOMEN’S LEAGUE

In a remarkable achievement for Jammu & Kashmir, Mehreen Aashiq, a 15-year-old martial artist from the Nowgam area of Vehil in South Kashmir’s Shopian district, has been selected for the National Khelo Pencak Silat Women’s League scheduled to take place in Maharashtra. Mehreen has already made a name for herself by winning a gold medal in the Khelo India Pencak Silat Women’s League bringing pride to her home state. Prior to this she has represented J&K in two national-level competitions held in Bihar and J&K along with competing in the Federation Cup in Ladakh.

Mehreen shared her deep passion for sports, which she has nurtured since childhood. “I have always been inclined towards sports and participated in various games from an early age,” she said. After winning in her latest league, she is now focused on rigorous training to perform at her best in the upcoming national event. Winning Medal at any stage gives you confidence and motivates you to push yourself further.

Beyond her personal success Mehreen strongly believes in the power of sports to transform lives especially for young people. She emphasized that engaging in sports not only promotes physical fitness and self-esteem but also acts as a shield against drug abuse and antisocial behavior. Sports provide a positive outlet for energy build discipline and teach teamwork. These qualities help young people stay away from negative influences.

Encouraging other young talents in J&K, Mehreen urged students to actively participate in school level sporting events and take advantage of platforms like Khelo India, which offers aspiring athletes a stage to showcase their abilities. “Every individual has talent but it can only shine through participation. The Khelo India initiative provides great opportunities and I encourage all youth to engage in sports and protect themselves and their families from the menace of drug addiction.

Mehreen also expressed happiness over the growing sports infrastructure in J&K and urged young athletes to make the most of every opportunity available to them. With proper facilities and training, she believes that many more talented athletes from the region can emerge on the national and international stage.

As she gears up for the National Khelo Pencak Silat Women’s League, Mehreen’s story serves as an inspiration for young athletes, proving that dedication, hard work and passion to do well can pave the way for success.