At a time when the Kashmir valley finds itself in the news for heartbreaking reasons, four young boys from the region presented a different storyline, with an amalgam of courage, resilience, focus, and gold.

At the Khelo India Youth Games 2025, Jammu & Kashmir boys’ volleyball team opened the state’s account in the medal tally with a gold by defeating Uttar Pradesh 3-1 in a hard-fought final. The scoreline — 35-33, 19-25, 25-17, 25-21 — tells its own story of a gripping contest, but the real story lay in the hearts of the players who made it happen.

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Wani Mahir (Srinagar), Sahil Shamim (Anantnag), Abid Gulzar (Ganderbal), and Nasir Ajaz (Baramulla), as well as their teammates, carried more than just the hopes of their team; they carried the weight of a land scarred by conflict.

Just a couple of weeks before the final, the Pahalgam terror attack on innocent tourists had left the valley shaken. Yet here they were, blocking, spiking, diving — playing not with fear, but with fire.

Coach Naresh Kumar, a seasoned mentor who had helped J&K to bronze at past school games, called it a “victory of heart.” Crediting the hard work put in by his boys in the past couple of months, he expressed confidence in them, saying this is just the beginning and they have a long career ahead.

“This win means everything. Back home, people needed something to feel proud of again. We wanted to give them that,” said Abid Gulzar, his voice calm but reflecting his pride.

Mahir and Nasir, both products of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre at Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu, have been training alongside senior players, refining their skills for moments like these.

Meanwhile, Abid Gulzar and Sahil Shammim have relied on support from home. For Abid, the sport runs in his blood. Coached by his father, Shamim Ahmed, a former India player, Abid honed his skills in his backyard, learning the game from the ground up. Sahil has risen through local circuits, far from the facilities of big cities, but never short on ambition.

From makeshift courts to national podiums, their journey speaks volumes. “We hope our story shows that even in difficult times, something beautiful can rise,” said Sahil.

As the players hoisted their medals, it wasn’t just a victory on court, it was a triumph of hope, determination and youth daring to dream high above the net.