The Kashmir Pulse

PULWAMA — A young girl from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district is set to lead the J&K Softball team in the upcoming national tournament.

Sunaina Gulzar, a 17-year-old girl from Putrigam, showed exceptional performances in a recently held event which earned her the captaincy role for the J&K team.

Speaking with the news agency KNO, Sunaina expressed her joy and said she recently participated in softball trials held in Nagrota, Jammu. “For my standout performance during the trials, I was offered the captaincy of the J&K team in the upcoming national softball tournament,” she said.

The athlete said she was inclined towards sports since childhood, and used to participate in various games besides encouraging other girls to engage in sports activities. Sports not only keep us physically active but also contribute to mental strength, she said.

Sunaina said girls are no longer lagging behind boys in any field and they must come forward to showcase their talent in whatever field they are interested in. She said parental support is crucial in nurturing talent and expressing gratitude for the encouragement she received from her parents.

On her achievement, she said, “I am not just representing my village or district but am making a mark on the national stage. I will try to give my best performance at the national level.”

The young athlete said there is a need to support girls in sports. “Girls can make and are making significant contributions to society when empowered in the field of sports,” she said.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Son of the soil, Harvinder Singh from Jammu created history by being appointed as the coach of the Indian senior men's Softball team.

He is the first person from Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory who has been appointed as the coach in the Olympic sport of Softball. Harvinder Singh, a former outstanding Softball player & NIS-certified Softball coach from Jammu and Kashmir, has been in this field since 1995 and he previously coached many Softball clubs and J&K Softball teams.

Harvinder is the youngest son of Gurbhajan Singh and Narinder Kour, who passed Class 10th from Gajrati Niketan High School, Kachi Chawni, Jammu; Class 12th from Luthra Academy, Jammu and Graduated from Punjab Technical University, Jammu in 2005.

He did Diploma in Sports Coaching (Softball) from NS NIS from Southern Centre Bangalore and emerged as the topper of the batch in the year 2006. He did Bachelors in Physical Education from the University of Jammu in 2009-10.

On the basis of his outstanding sports career in Softball sport, Harvinder was appointed as Physical Education Teacher through then SRO-376 (Appointment of Outstanding Sports Persons) in J&K Youth Services & Sports Department in the year 2014.

Harvinder started his career as a Softball player at the local level from 4th standard and won many medals at District, State & National Level.

Uncle of Harvinder Singh, Avtar Singh, a former national-level Skier inspired him to choose Softball as his career. Harvinder also recalled the contribution of his coach Harkesh Singh, J&K Softball Association and J&K Sports Council in his success.

Resident of Model Town, Gangyal area of Jammu district, Harvinder coached many clubs in Jammu and Kashmir. Under his coaching, many teams won laurels at Club, District & State level. He previously coached Jammu and Kashmir state team, and presently he is playing an important role in the promotion of Softball sport in UT of Jammu & Kashmir. He has been imparting coaching since 2006. He was also the captain of the J&K Softball team.

Harvinder has been appointed as coach of Indian National Softball (Men) team which is going to participate in Asia Cup (Men) Senior Softball Championship at Kochi, Japan from June 25 to June 28, 2023, being organized by Japan Softball Association & Softball Confederation of Asia.

"Harvinder's appointment as coach of the national team will definitely boost the morale of Jammu & Kashmir Softball players," said Waseem Raja Khan, General Secretary, J&K Softball Association. He said that Softball is growing fast in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir due to the facilities being provided by the J&K Sports Council, under the dynamic leadership of its Secretary, Ms Nuzhat Gul.

The Indian national senior men's softball team is departing from New Delhi for Japan on June 23, 2023 under the banner of Softball Association of India.

This post first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse