Shariya Manzoor becomes 1st J&K Woman in Asian Kabaddi League

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Monday, 27 July 2026

Shariya Manzoor from Pulwama district of north Kashmir has made history in the world of Kabaddi to become the first woman from Jammu and Kashmir to be selected in the first Asian Kabaddi League (Women – Chapter 1). It is a great achievement for the women's kabaddi in the Union Territory (UT), the Jammu and Kashmir Amateur Kabaddi Association confirmed on Monday.

Shariya's selection is a big achievement for the sports in Jammu and Kashmir region and also for the women sportsperson in the country for participating in national and international events. She has been added to the first league list of the continent because of years of hard work, perseverance and regular performances on the kabaddi court.

Congratulating the young athlete, General Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Amateur Kabaddi Association, Kuldeep Kumar Gupta, congratulated him for his achievement which he credited to Shariya's discipline, commitment and hard work. He highlighted her appointment as an evidence of the rising standard of kabaddi in Jammu and Kashmir and the inspiration to the aspiring kabaddi players, especially young women who want to take the game professionally.

Key Highlights:

• Historic Achievement: First woman from J&K selected for the Asian Kabaddi League
• Women's Sports Milestone: Boosts women's kabaddi in the Union Territory
• Grassroots Success: Reflects the impact of coaching and sports development initiatives

Gupta also credited Shariya's coach Arshid Rather for his efforts in guiding and training her for the international level. The coach's advice has been very instrumental in making Shariya a player who can be a regional representative in a prestigious continental platform,' he said.

The association also thanked Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council Secretary Nuzhat Gul for enhancing the sports ecosystem of the UT. Gupta attributed the role of the Sports Council's efforts, particularly Khelo India Centers and Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP) Centers, which have helped in identifying and developing young sporting talent in the region. He says these training centers have played a crucial role in providing quality coaching, infrastructure and competitions to athletes.

Gupta welcomed the recent move of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council to set up ten new Kabaddi centers across the Union Territory which would make a huge contribution to ground level development. The training centers would provide more opportunities to young athletes and bolster the future of the kabaddi game in the region, he added.

Gupta also noted that two Jammu and Kashmir players have made their mark in the 2026 Pro Kabaddi League as the sport has come a long way in recent years. He stated that his selection to the inaugural Asian Kabaddi League was a testament to how the talent of Jammu and Kashmir is getting noticed in the field of Kabaddi.

The Jammu and Kashmir Amateur Kabaddi Association congratulated Shariya Manzoor on the next tournament and wished her the best of luck for playing in a brilliant manner. Her success would serve as a catalyst for more young women to participate in kabaddi and help the sport's development in the region, the association added.

The historic selection is not just a testament to shariya's incredible performance but also a positive outcome of the ongoing investment in sports development, coaching, and grassroot initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir. Her path is an inspiring one for emerging sports talent from UT to make a mark at bigger sporting platforms and instill pride in Jammu and Kashmir and the country.