Jammu-Kashmir's Bilquis Mir set to become the first Indian woman to represent the country as a jury member in Paris Olympics 2024

Bilquis Mir from Jammu and Kashmir is set to become the first woman from India to represent the country as a jury member in the Paris Olympics 2024, to be held from July 26 to August 11. 

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Bilquis' appointment as a jury member for the Paris Olympics 2024 was officially informed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) through a letter 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," IOA stated.

Olympics is the 'ultimate destination'

Delighted with her appointment as a jury member for the Paris Olympics 2024, considered the pinnacle of sports, Bilquis consider it as a dream come true for her as the Olympics is the 'ultimate destination' not just for athletes but for sports promoters like herself.

Bilquis was also a jury member at the Asian Games in Hangzhou

Bilquis started her journey as a canoeist from Dal Lake in 1998 and represented the country. She is a former coach of the women's canoeing team that will represent India at the Paris Olympics 2024. In addition, Bilquis was also a jury member at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last year.  

It was very difficult for a Kashmiri girl to take up sports back in the day

Recalling the days prior to the revocation of the constitutional privileges in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370, she said it was very difficult for a Kashmiri girl to take up sports back in the day but Bilquis took up canoeing in earnest, negotiating and overcoming the many challenges that came along the way. 

Bilquis found her true calling as a canoeist, which was a sport virtually unheard of in Jammu and Kashmir at the time, and went on to represent the country at the world championships. 

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Bilquis cleared the exam for being a jury member

Bilquis cleared the exam for being a jury member at top sporting events in 2008 and earned praise for her conduct and performance in the panel at last year's Hangzhou Asian Games.