J&K Dragon Boat Team Shines at National Championship with Two 

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Dragon Boat Association felicitated the J&K Dragon Boat Team

for winning two bronze medals in the Open Women’s and Mixed categories at the 13th National

Dragon Boat Championship 2026, held at Bhalswa Lake, New Delhi, from October 18 to 20. The

championship witnessed participation from over 700 athletes representing 25 states.

Sheikh Junaid Mehmood, IPS, Inspector General of Police/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), J&K

Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, was the Chief Guest, while Wasim Ahmed Khan, Chief Sales &

Customer Relations, Khyber Cement, was the Guest of Honour.

The Chief Guest commended the Association for nurturing local talent and providing athletes with

opportunities to compete at national and international levels. He also urged young girls to pursue

sports with confidence and inspire others through their success.

Acknowledging Khyber Cement’s contribution, he remarked, “Khyber Cement has always been

there to support such initiatives and encourage sporting talent in Jammu and Kashmir.”

Commenting on the achievement, Umar Tramboo, Director – Corporate & Strategy, Khyber Cement,

said, “These medals are a glimpse of what Jammu & Kashmir’s youth can achieve when talent

meets opportunity. At Khyber Cement, our vision goes beyond supporting a team to helping

build a lasting culture of sporting excellence.”

Congratulating the medal winners, Wasim Ahmed Khan, Chief Sales & Customer Relations, Khyber

Cement, said, “We applaud the team’s dedication and winning spirit. Khyber Cement has

always supported initiatives that nurture local talent, and we are keen to explore ways to

strengthen the team’s training resources and provide the necessary support to help them

achieve greater success.”

The team was sponsored by Khyber Cement, whose support contributed to its successful campaign.

The two medals reflect the paddlers’ dedication and the growing potential of dragon boat sports in

Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in women’s sports.

Association President M. Syed Punoo, IPS (Retd.), and Senior Vice President Er. Aamir Ali

congratulated the medal-winning athletes, Coach Farooq Ahmed Bhat and the team officials for their

commendable performance. They also expressed gratitude to Khyber Cement and J&K Police for

their continued support and encouragement.

With a vision that extends beyond conventional sponsorship, Khyber Cement aims to set new

benchmarks in nurturing sporting talent across. Through diverse initiatives, meaningful

partnerships and sustained engagement, the company remains committed to exploring new

avenues of support, ensuring that more young athletes receive the opportunities, resources

and encouragement needed to excel.