ALEENA RIYAZ BECOMES A NEW FACE OF THE YOUTH OF KASHMIR, KULGAM GIRL WINS DIVISION-LEVEL CHESS TITLE

Kashmir has always been a land of talent. From its mountains, villages and towns, many young people have built a distinct identity through their hard work and skills. Now, Aleena Riyaz from Kulgam has become part of this growing story. In 2026, at a young age, Aleena has made her mark in sports by securing first position in the Inter-District Division-Level Chess Competition held in Srinagar. Players from all 10 districts of the Kashmir Division participated in the competition, and finishing at the top in such a strong field reflects Aleena’s talent and her ability to keep moving forward. Her achievement is not just about winning a trophy; it reflects the changing picture of Kashmir, where girls are increasingly creating their own identity through sports. Her journey from the grassroots of Kulgam to the top at the division level shows that with the right opportunities, talent from smaller places can also make its mark on bigger platforms.

Aleena’s latest achievement in 2026 did not come overnight. Her sporting journey goes back several years. In the District Kulgam Chess Championship held in January 2023, she secured second position in the girls’ category. Around 50 players participated in the competition, which was organised by the Kulgam District Chess Association in collaboration with the All J&K Chess Association and the J&K Sports Council. That second-place finish was one of the early steps towards the bigger achievement she has earned today. Three years later, the same player stood at the top among competitors from all 10 districts of the Kashmir Division. That is what makes a sportsperson’s journey special—every competition brings experience, every match teaches something new, and every small achievement helps build the path towards a bigger goal. Aleena’s story reflects this very continuity. Her sporting talent has not been limited to chess; she has also showcased her abilities in badminton. At the Kashmir Badminton Championship held in February 2023, she finished as runner-up in the Girls’ Singles Under-11 and Under-13 categories.

Badminton and chess are two very different sports. One demands quick movement, agility and physical ability, while the other requires patience, concentration and strategic thinking. Aleena’s strength lies in the fact that she has made her presence felt in both. This diverse sporting interest gives her a distinct place among the emerging young talents of Kashmir. Her family record identifies Riyaz Ahmad Bhat as her father. However, detailed public information about Aleena’s current class, school, coach or daily training routine is not available, and it would therefore be inappropriate to speculate about these aspects. What her competition record does show is that her connection with sports has remained consistent and that she has gained competitive experience from a young age. Aleena’s achievement is also part of a broader change in which girls from Jammu and Kashmir are proving their abilities across different sporting disciplines—from the playing field to the chessboard. District- and grassroots-level competitions are giving young athletes opportunities to showcase their talent, earn recognition and progress towards higher levels of competition. This is also a meaningful form of Women Empowerment—when girls receive opportunities, their talent can bring pride not only to their families but to the entire community.

The story of Gems of Kashmir is not limited to major achievements; it is about recognising the faces who are helping write a new story for Kashmir through their dedication and talent. Aleena Riyaz is a beautiful part of that changing picture. Her journey reminds us that success does not always come with the first attempt. Sometimes there is a second place, sometimes there is experience, and with continued effort, that same journey can eventually lead to the highest position. In 2026, this daughter of Kulgam has secured first place among players from all 10 districts of the Kashmir Division, and her achievement offers a message of hope to countless girls who dream of building a future through sports. For the Youth of Kashmir, Aleena’s journey sends a simple message—talent does not depend on coming from a big city; it needs opportunity, hard work and the courage to keep moving forward. This is why Aleena Riyaz deserves a place among the emerging stories of Young Achievers of Kashmir and Kashmir Women Achievers. Her victory may have come on a chessboard, but its impact goes far beyond it. It represents a generation that wants to see the daughters of Kashmir not merely dream, but move forward with determination to turn those dreams into reality. Aleena Riyaz is today not just a chess winner, but an inspiring face of Kashmir’s emerging sporting talent and its changing generation of young women.