Ramban’s rising Fencers shine at 7th district championship in Banihal
Banihal, Oct 27: The 7th District Ramban Fencing Championship concluded with great enthusiasm and success at the Community Hall Banihal on Sunday evening, marking another milestone in the district’s growing engagement with the sport of fencing. The event drew dozens of young athletes from Ramsoo, Ramban, Banihal and Khari, who competed passionately and showcased remarkable skill, discipline, and sportsmanship.
The closing ceremony was graced by Muhammad Taskeen Wani, President of the Journalists Association Ramban and correspondent of Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Uzma, as the chief guest. Among the guests of honour were DDC Councillor Ramsoo Bashir Ahmed Nayak, Engineer Shadab Ahmad Wani, President of the Banihal Traders Federation, and Kewal Singh , sponsor of the championship ( owner city Diagnosis center Jammu).
The participants competed across four age categories, with medals and certificates distributed among the top performers.
In the Under-12 Boys’ category, Haziq Imtiyaz of Play Way International School Banihal clinched gold, while Ayan Latief of Sky Touch School Nachilana, Khari, bagged silver. Suhaib Mushtaq (Sky Touch School) and Rayaan Reyaz (Play Way International School) shared the bronze medals.
In the Under-14 Boys’ division, Toufiq Fayaz (Sky Touch School Nachilana) took gold, followed by Suhai Nisar (Play Way International School Banihal) with silver, and Muneeb Ahmad and Mohammad Mustafa (both from Sky Touch School) taking bronze.
Among Girls, Adiba Sohil (Sky Touch School Nachilana) won gold, Rohana Shiyaz (Play Way International School Banihal) secured silver, while Nazima and Adeena Asif (Sky Touch School Nachilana) won bronze.
In the Under-19 Boys’ category, where several state and national-level players participated, Raqib Yousuf emerged champion with gold, followed by Faizan Sohil (silver), while Mehjoor Ahmed Sohil and Rashid Naseer shared the bronze medals.
All other participants were also felicitated with certificates of participation. The event was ably conducted by Usman Atta, Principal of Play Way International School Banihal.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest Muhammad Taskeen applauded the Ramban District Fencing Association and sponsor Kewal Kumar of Ramsoo for organizing Banihal’s first major fencing event despite limited infrastructure. He urged youth to actively pursue sports alongside academics, saying,
“Sports build not just bodies but character and confidence. Programs like Kheloo India can open opportunities for rural talent if used effectively.”
He also encouraged students to use mobile phones and the internet constructively — for learning and skill-building, including modern tools like artificial intelligence — instead of wasting time on unproductive entertainment.
Engineer Shadab Ahmad Wani highlighted the lack of sports infrastructure in Ramban, noting that despite immense potential, the district still lacks proper playgrounds and indoor stadiums.
“Young athletes like Sufyan Waheed Sohil had to go outside Jammu and Kashmir for training. If we provide better facilities, Ramban district can produce many more champions,” Wani said.
District fencing coach Masood Ahmed and players Saad ur Rehman, Irfan Bali, Mehjoor Ahmed, and Rashid Naseer, who have represented Ramban at state and national levels, also urged the government to establish dedicated fencing halls, provide modern equipment, and nurture local talent.
The event also celebrated the inspiring journey of Sufyan Waheed Sohil, the international fencing star from the small village of Ramsoo. Sufyan won a bronze medal at the 2024 Commonwealth Cadet and Junior Fencing Championships in New Zealand, represented India at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Germany, and earned two silver medals at the National Games in Uttarakhand along with gold in the All India Inter-University Championships.
Trained at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) Patiala under coach Deepak Singh, Sufyan’s rise from a remote village to the global stage has become a symbol of hope and pride for the youth of Ramban, inspiring many to take up fencing as a sport of choice.
The championship concluded with loud cheers, medals, and the promise of a brighter sporting future for Ramban’s young generation — one that continues to draw inspiration from the courage, passion, and achievements of athletes like Sufyan Waheed Sohil.
