Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli, who had been admitted to the ICU of Akruti Hospital on December 21 due to severe health complications, including a urinary infection, cramps, and brain clots, was discharged on Wednesday. Despite his frail appearance, the 52-year-old was high in spirits as he posed for photographs with hospital staff and even played a short game of cricket.

Kapil Dev’s Heartfelt Video Call
During Kambli’s hospitalization, legendary all-rounder and India’s 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev connected with him via a video call. In an emotional exchange, Kambli greeted Kapil warmly, saying, “Hi Kapil paaji, how are you?”

Kapil reassured Kambli and encouraged him to focus on his recovery. “I will come and see you. You are looking good, you’ve even colored your beard. Don’t rush your discharge. If you need to stay in the hospital for a few more days, it’s fine. Take care, love you,” Kapil said.

Hospital Extends Lifelong Support
Shailesh Thakur, director of Akruti Hospital, expressed his admiration for Kambli and pledged to cover his medical expenses moving forward. “I have been a fan of Kambli sir all my life, and it was tough to see him struggle with health issues. We will ensure he gets the care he needs,” Thakur said.

Kapil Dev also extended his gratitude to Dr. Thakur. “Thank you, Shailesh, for taking care of him. He’s looking good, and it’s all because of your efforts.”

A Message of Hope
Kambli’s resilience and the overwhelming support from Kapil Dev, his former teammates, and the medical staff have brought positivity to this challenging phase. With his characteristic fighting spirit and the continued care of Akruti Hospital, Kambli’s journey toward recovery is a beacon of hope for his fans and the cricketing fraternity.

Editorial Note:
This heartwarming story showcases the enduring bonds between cricketing legends and highlights the importance of solidarity and support during challenging times. Kapil Dev’s gesture reflects the spirit of camaraderie that transcends generations.

Jammu and Kashmir’s star fencer, Shreya Gupta, has added yet another accolade to her impressive career by clinching a Bronze medal at the 35th Senior National Fencing Championship held in Kannur, Kerala. The prestigious tournament commenced on December 31, 2024, and will conclude on January 3, 2025.

Shreya reached the semifinals, where she faced Olympian Bhawani Devi in a thrilling match. Despite starting strong and leading 8-4, Bhawani’s vast experience turned the tide, resulting in a 15-11 victory for the Olympian. Undeterred, Shreya bounced back in the medal bout, showcasing her resilience and skill by defeating Kerala’s Jose Josna Christy 15-9.

Earlier in the knockout stages, Shreya demonstrated her dominance with convincing 15-6 victories over Prakriti Sharma of Rajasthan and Vandita Barad of Gujarat.

With an impressive career record that includes 5 International medals and 20 National Golds, Shreya continues to cement her status as one of India’s top fencers.

The Secretary of the J&K Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull, congratulated Shreya on her remarkable performance. She also acknowledged the dedication of Shreya’s coach, Shotu Lal Sharma, whose guidance has been instrumental in her success. Gull praised both for bringing immense pride to Jammu and Kashmir through their achievements in the sport.

Shreya’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes in the region, highlighting the potential for excellence with determination and the right support.

Ahmed Taha Masoodi, a rising star in martial arts from Srinagar, has brought immense pride to India by clinching a bronze medal at the prestigious 5th Junior World Pencak Silat Championship, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The championship, featuring over 1,100 athletes from 55 countries, stands as one of the most competitive global tournaments in Pencak Silat. Ahmed’s stellar performance shone brightly amidst fierce competition, underscoring the growing prominence of Indian talent on the international stage.

Ahmed’s journey to this global triumph was paved by his extraordinary achievements at the national level. In November 2024, he bagged four gold medals across two national Pencak Silat Championships, demonstrating his exceptional skills and building momentum for his success at the world championship.

Hailing from a region with limited resources and facilities, Ahmed’s passion and dedication for Pencak Silat have been instrumental in his rise. He credits his success to his family’s unwavering support and the mentorship of his coach, Mohd Iqbal, who has played a pivotal role in shaping his career.

The championship, organized by the International Pencak Silat Federation, saw tough competition from Pencak Silat powerhouses like Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Ahmed’s bronze medal not only brought him recognition but also earned him admiration from peers and spectators alike.

In his statement, Ahmed expressed heartfelt gratitude to his family and coaches, highlighting their role in his journey. He emphasized that his achievement is a testament to the power of determination and support, serving as an inspiration for young athletes, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ahmed Taha Masoodi’s accomplishment is a beacon of hope, proving that with passion and perseverance, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome to achieve global success.

The 6th Jammu & Kashmir UT Karate Championship 2024 concluded today at the Indoor Stadium, Bhagwati Nagar, with over 500 participants showcasing their skills in various categories. The two-day event featured competitions in Sub-Junior, Cadet, Junior, and Senior categories.

The championship was organized with meticulous attention to technical standards, under the guidance of officials including Shihan Ashwani Yadav (AKF Certified Judge), Sensei Akhtar (Head Admin, KIO Sportdata India), Mohd Aurangzeb (President, SKFI), and other qualified referees like Anilkumar, Rajan Jamwal, Tajamul Islam, Ganesh Gupta, and Priya Sharma.

The closing ceremony was graced by special guests Rahil Gupta (Vice Chairman, AKAJK) and Ambedkar Gupta (President, AKAJK), who distributed medals to the winners. Ajaz Ahmed (General Secretary, AKAJK) extended a vote of thanks. Notable international karatekas Poonam Salathia, Azmat Kalyan, and Rajat Singh were recognized for their contributions to the sport.

Team Kumite Highlights

The AKA-JK Team secured first place, with Jammu District taking second, and Baramulla and Udhampur Districts sharing third place.

Individual Achievements

Cadet Boys & Girls Category:

• Gold: Mehr un N (Budgam), Avneet K (Jammu), Angat S (Udhampur), Vishal V (Udhampur), Hussnain A (Rajouri), Rudra Pratap S (Udhampur), Rudrah S (Udhampur)
• Silver: Sumanshi S (Udhampur), Rutba H (Ganderbal), Arifa W (Baramulla), Surinder G (Rajouri), Ahmad Saqib C (Ganderbal), Haroon N (Budgam), Aryan B (Jammu)
• Bronze: Zikra B (Budgam), Ekam Ekagar V (Rajouri), Masroof Ahmad D (Kupwara), Wani M (Kupwara), Bashir Mir B (Budgam), Munazim M (Ganderbal), Farooq M (Kupwara), Munazim M (Ganderbal)

Junior Boys & Girls Category:

• Gold: Varun K (Udhampur), Zameer Ahmad B (Bandipora), Lovesh D (Budgam), Majeed Malik (Kupwara), Leepakshi B (Rajouri), Lovesh D (Budgam)
• Silver: Varun S (Udhampur), Prashant D (Rajouri), Sahil A (Budgam), Ifra P (Baramulla)
• Bronze: Puran S (Udhampur), Prince B (Udhampur)

Under-21 Boys & Girls Category:

• Gold: Pakeeza N (Baramulla), Adil M (Rajouri), Vipul S (Rajouri), Owais W (Baramulla), Reshi A (Kupwara)
• Silver: Riya S (Udhampur), Sangra Arindham (Kathua), Bhanu Partap (Udhampur), Harman J (Jammu), Faizan Bashir (Budgam)
• Bronze: Junaid A (Bandipora), Nasir Farooq (Baramulla), Saqib Modh K (Rajouri)

Senior Male & Female Categories:

• Gold: Iram I (Ganderbal), Mukhtar D (Srinagar), Neeraj M (Udhampur), Kalian K (Jammu), Sheikh N (Kathua), Sahiba (Ganderbal), Tanzeela N (Budgam), Bilal Zarah (Jammu), Shabrar S (Budgam), Mukhtar A (Budgam), Rajat Singh (Jammu), Vipul (Rajouri)
• Silver: Priyanshi S (Udhampur), Tabiya F (Ganderbal), Sahil Hamid M (Baramulla), Mazoor M (Kupwara), Shakir S (Baramulla), Fayaz S (Kupwara), Farhat M (Baramulla), Misba M (Budgam), Syed A (Budgam), Umar F (Baramulla), Maqbool (Budgam), Rishav (Jammu)
• Bronze: Devi V (Udhampur), Vansh S (Udhampur), Dushyant G (Udhampur), Takhmeena T (Budgam), Mohammad U (Bandipora), Ashish (Rajouri), Vikas Charak (Jammu), Raghav (Budgam), Manhas Singh (Jammu), Kumar R (Jammu)

The event was a testament to the region’s growing prowess in karate and the enthusiasm of its participants.