Empowering Through Sports: The Inspirational Journey of Sajad Ahmad Mir in Transforming Lives

Emerging from a quaint village in Anantnag town, armed with both education and unwavering dedication, Sajad Ahmad Mir stands as a beacon of hope for numerous aspiring female athletes, steering them towards success in sports as a viable career choice. His transformative journey from a sports enthusiast to a national-level coach is reshaping the destinies of countless students through the realm of games.

Mir, currently serving as a Physical Education Teacher in the Youth Services & Sports District, Anantnag, firmly believes that success transcends personal achievements and is, instead, about empowering individuals through sports. Living by the maxim that the true measure of success lies in the positive impact on others, he has dedicated his life to this philosophy.

A seasoned player in the Nagpur International marathon, a National Level player in Netball and Softball, State Level player in cricket, and a former National Level coach for the cricket team of JKUT, Mir boasts an impressive array of certificates attesting to his proficiency.

Commencing his career as a Physical Education Teacher in April 2010 at GMS Monghall, Mir later moved to Govt. Girls Model Higher Secondary School Ranibagh, situated in the heart of Anantnag town. Under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative launched in 2015 by the Government of India, Mir introduced a curriculum that encouraged thousands of students, especially girls, to participate in sports, NCC, and other extracurricular activities, thereby transforming their lives.

Reflecting on the early days of his career, Mir vividly recalls the lack of infrastructure in schools despite students’ enthusiasm for sports and NCC. Determined to make a difference, he took charge of guiding school children, noticing a particular dearth of female participation due to societal stereotypes. This realization fueled his commitment to empower young female students through sports.

In response to these challenges, Mir organized awareness camps, conducting more than 500 campaigns in remote villages of the Kashmir Valley. Supported by his colleagues, he traversed through forests, reaching isolated villages to spread awareness. The team conducted door-to-door campaigns, persuading parents to support their daughters in joining sports, NCC, and cultural activities.

Mir played a pivotal role in organizing competitions in various sports at district, UT, and national levels, breaking gender stereotypes prevalent in these domains. He facilitated the first-ever competition for female participants in 2011, marking a significant milestone in normalizing female participation by 2015.

His students have excelled at various levels in cricket, netball, throw ball, basketball, softball, chess, kho-kho, table tennis, martial arts, karate, NCC, and cultural activities. The impact of Mir’s mentorship is evident in success stories such as Ruby Syed, a Ranji Cricket Player, and Ayman Mukhtar, who credits Mir for her achievements in softball.

Continuing to shape the lives of female students in the region, Mir is determined to break stereotypes and foster a culture of empowerment through sports. His commitment to education goes beyond academics, as he believes that sports impart essential life skills, including patience, resilience, consistency, and hard work. With an unwavering focus on empowering girls through sports, Sajad Ahmad Mir is steadfast in his mission, recognizing that there is still a long way to go in challenging societal norms and encouraging more women to participate in sports.