Kashmir holds first ever all female boat race on Dal Lake

Kashmir has produced multiple female athletes who have made their mark internationally in the last few years, and to uncover more hidden talent from the Valley, the first-ever all-women boat race was held in Srinagar's famous Dal Lake.

In a unique event held on the famous Dal Lake of Srinagar, over 150 females participated in a boat race, breaking all the stereotypical barriers and taking a step in the direction of women's empowerment and inclusivity.

Kashmir Valley's famous athlete and India's first female Chief Jury at the Paris Olympics, Bilkis Mir, organised the event. Bilkis has been working with Kashmiri women for years to train them in water sports, and she says this was a historic day in the valley to have so many women showcasing their talent on one platform.

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''It was a historic day as it was the first such race for women. There are always events for men, whether it's cricket or other tournaments, but for women, there are very few. This was very unique, as these girls have stepped outside their houses and become a part of this race. It also helped unmask a lot of young talent, and we got new talent by this race. We are adopting 35 girls, and we are going to train them for national and international events,'' said Bilkis.

The young girls who participated in the event showed excitement and also wished that more such events were held in the valley. Providing platforms for local girls to showcase their talent and allowing them to prove their mettle on national and international levels is a dream for them.

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''I am very happy to be a part of this race which was held for the first time in the Valley. There were over 100 participants, and three girls won. I want more such events to be held in the Valley. It was great and sports are very important for girls. People who say girls are not meant for sports are not true. Our teacher is called the aqua queen, and she inspires all of us,'' said Madiha Farooq, a participant.

Each participant received a certificate and a cash prize, with special awards for the top three finishers.