Bilquis Mir from Jammu and Kashmir is set to create history as the first woman from India to serve as a jury member at this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris, scheduled from July 26 to August 11.
Gir’s appointment as a jury member for the Paris Games was officially conveyed through a letter from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
“Bilquis Mir, water sports promoter, developer, athlete, jury member of Indian Kayaking and Canoeing association has been nominated as the member of the jury to officiate at the Paris Olympics games. She is the first person from India to be appointed as a jury member at the Paris Olympics,” the IOA stated in the letter to the Jammu and Kashmir administration.
Describing her appointment as a dream come true, Bilquis said that the Olympics represent the ultimate destination not only for athletes but also for sports promoters like herself.
Bilquis, who also served a jury member at the previous year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, said she started her journey in 1998 as a canoeist from Kashmir and subsequently represented the country.
Recalling the challenges she faced, especially before the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Bilquis said it was difficult for a Kashmiri girl to pursue sports as a career option. Despite numerous hurdles, she persevered and overcame obstacles to become a successful canoeist.
She cleared the exam to become a jury member at top sporting events in 2008, earning praise for her conduct and performance in the panel at last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games.
“This is a proud moment not just for me or the UT of Jammu and Kashmir but the entire country. Only two jury members from Asia have been picked this time (for the Summer Games), with the other being from Japan,” Bilquis said.
