J&K clears kayaking coach Bilquis Mir to lead Indian team at Asian Games 2026

The Jammu and Kashmir government has issued a limited No Objection Certificate allowing physical education teacher Bilquis Mir to serve as chief coach of the Indian national kayaking and canoeing team at the Asian Games in Japan, following a Supreme Court order that overturned an earlier travel ban.

The Department of Youth Services and Sports on Tuesday granted Mir permission to join and discharge her remaining assignment as coach and chief coach of the Indian team and to accompany and assist the national squad in connection with the Asian Games, 2026.

Restrictions on travel scope

The official order specified that the permission shall remain "operative only for the period reasonably necessary for completion of the Asian Games 2026 assignment and connected official travel". The department clarified that no permission is granted under this order for any private foreign travel or for any travel or engagement unconnected with the national sporting assignment covered by the Supreme Court judgment.

Responding to the clearance, Mir said, "I urge all to support sportspersons of J&K. I am happy to the represent India and will serve my country".

Supreme Court quashes travel denial

The Supreme Court on September 10 issued an order in favour of Mir and quashed an official order denying her permission, citing pending departmental inquiries and service conditions. The travel restrictions have forced Mir to miss two international events since 2023 due to the denial of travel permission.

Anti-Corruption Bureau investigation

In 2023, Mir faced an Anti-Corruption Bureau inquiry over an anonymous complaint, questioning whether she possessed a Bachelor in Physical Education course to become a Physical Education Teacher or not. In July 2025, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed the First Information Report and described the investigation agency's role as a "witch-hunt".

Justice Sanjay Dhar of the J&K High Court, who passed the order quashing the FIR, observed that the attitude of the investigating agency "in criminalizing non-acquisition of a technical qualification by the petitioner when she has brought laurels to the country all over the world speaks volumes about the manner in which we are treating our sporting heroes".

International recognition and contributions

Mir became the first Indian woman on the Paris Olympics jury in 2024 and acted as the Chief Finish Line Judge at the 2025 Asian Championship held in Nanjing, China. She once served as the secretary of the J&K Water Sports Kayaking and Canoeing Association and earned the sobriquet of 'Aqua Queen' of Kashmir for training local boys and girls in different water sports since 1998.

The clearance comes as a relief to the Indian kayaking and canoeing contingent preparing for the Asian Games in Japan, where Mir's expertise as chief coach will be crucial for the team's performance at the continental championship.

Source: The Hindu