KIWG 2026: J&K Sports Council Secretary Nuzhat Gul on Growing Women’s Presence in Sport

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Gulmarg, Feb 26: As the sixth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games (KIWG) 2026 unfolded in Gulmarg, the event has once again put Jammu & Kashmir at the centre of India's winter sports map. But beyond the snow-clad slopes and competitive intensity, a deeper transformation is taking shape - one led by the region's women athletes.

In an exclusive interaction with myKhel, J&K Sports Council's Secretary Nuzhat Gul spoke at length about the growing participation of girls in sport, the increasing number of international medallists from the Union Territory, and the Council's firm belief in equal opportunity over gender bias.

"Participation of the girls of J&K has improved a lot"

Reflecting on the broader sporting landscape, Gul began by acknowledging the steady rise in overall participation from the region. "Over the years, J&K's participation has improved. One special thing is that the participation of the girls of J&K has improved a lot," she said.

According to her, the change is not confined to one discipline or one level of competition. Whether at grassroots tournaments, national championships, or international platforms, girls from Jammu & Kashmir are stepping forward in greater numbers - and with greater confidence.

The ongoing Khelo India Winter Games 2026 is another example of that shift. While winter sports continue to gain popularity in the Union Territory, the trend of increased female participation extends far beyond snow-based events.

Women Leading on the International Stage

Gul made it clear that the progress is not merely about participation - it is also about performance. "In many disciplines, our international medallists are female," she revealed.

She pointed to strong showings in gymnastics and wushu, disciplines where J&K athletes have already built a reputation nationally. Water sports have also seen impressive female representation, while team sports such as football, rugby, and volleyball boast highly competitive women's squads.

"In gymnastics, our girls are doing very well. In wushu, our girls are doing well. In water sports, our girls are doing well. Our girls are doing very well in football. We have a very strong team of girls in rugby and volleyball," Gul elaborated.

The consistency across such diverse disciplines underlines what she believes is a systemic change rather than isolated success stories.

Moving Beyond Gender Labels

At the core of Gul's philosophy is a rejection of the idea that sport should be viewed through a gendered lens. "Any game should be gender-specific. With the change in trend, with the changes in scenario, we are seeing more girls coming out to participate in every game, not only in snow games," she observed, highlighting a visible social shift in the region.

But for Gul, the conversation is not about comparison - it is about equality. "Even if we don't say it is gender-specific, it is about giving equal opportunities," she stressed.

She firmly dismissed hierarchical thinking in sport. "I never believe that men are superior or women are superior. It is always the question of providing equal chances," she added further.

Her concluding remark was both assertive and reflective of the results already visible on the field. "Give them equal chances, they will prove that they are equally better, and sometimes they are much better."

Equal Opportunity as Policy, Not Promise

Gul's comments underline the J&K Sports Council's approach - building systems that provide balanced access to infrastructure, coaching, competition exposure and institutional backing. The visible rise in female international medallists, she suggested, is proof that when opportunity is evenly distributed, performance naturally follows.

As Gulmarg hosts KIWG 2026 and reinforces its status as India's winter sports hub, the broader sporting narrative in Jammu & Kashmir is being rewritten. It is no longer just about participation numbers or event hosting capabilities - it is about inclusivity, representation, and performance at the highest level.