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Kashmiri wrestler appeals to PM to help build women's team in the Valley
Harbouring dreams of representing India at the international level, Nabi has dreams of winning a medal at the Olympics for her nation.
Kashmiri wrestler Nahida Nabi, who hails from the district of Ganderbal in Jammu and Kashmir, has urged the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to add "Beti Ko Pahalwan Banao" to his already existing slogan of "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" so that more youngsters from the Valley are encouraged to take up the sport.
The youngster, who competed in her maiden national championship last year, spoke to PTI about the current lockdown in her state, which almost forced her to miss an ongoing event.
"I got the speed post seven days (after it was sent) but I was thrilled to read the contents about my participation. I scrambled to get a taxi so that I did not miss out," Nabi stated on the sidelines of the "Mission Dosti Mission Dangal" tournament that sees over 40 wrestlers from India, Georgia, Cuba and Iran competing.
"We (her family) have financial problems to deal with. (But) my mother and brother support me fully at every step. It was hard to reach here. I have spent Rs 8000," she claimed.
She also appealed to the Indian government to look into the development of sports, particularly among females, in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Parents need to give space to their daughters to take to sports, which has great scope now. I want to appeal to girls in Kashmir to come out, play whatever you want to and make everyone proud. They should utilise their energies in sports and fulfill their dreams," she said.
"I appeal to government and the sports council to help me in setting up a women's team in the state, which can play at the national and international level to chase and fulfil our dreams," she added.
Harbouring dreams of representing India at the international level, Nabi, a former kabaddi player, has dreams of winning a medal at the Olympics for her nation. Along with Nabi the other wrestlers participating in the event are Mousam Khatri, an Asian Games bronze medal winner and Sanjeet, a national champion. The winners will get a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh.
