Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 14: A 24-year-old girl from Poonch, Abhilove Kour, has brought immense pride to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by being the only representative from J&K in the 16-member Indian squad that defeated Pakistan in the finals of the Asian Lacrosse Games 2025-26, held recently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The Indian team, which competed from January 31 to February 7, won four matches leading up to the final and convincingly defeated Pakistan by 20-9 in a spectacular display of skill and teamwork. Abhilove’s performance was widely praised, as she played a crucial role in India’s historic victory.
Today, Abhilove received a grand reception in her hometown of Poonch, attended by family members, civil society representatives and sports enthusiasts. Earlier, the team had been felicitated in Mumbai and Jammu for their outstanding performance on the international stage.
Speaking to Excelsior, national-level hockey player Abhilove Kour said, “It was a proud moment for me to defeat Pakistan in the final with such a huge margin. Being the only girl from Jammu and Kashmir in the 16-member squad makes it even more special. I credit my success to my family, who have supported me throughout.”
Her mother, Kulwant Kour, said, “We are very proud of our daughter. She went all the way to Saudi Arabia and won a gold medal for India. Our relatives and community are thrilled. She has made all of us proud.”
Her father, Khushpal Singh, added, “I cannot express how happy I am. This is a matter of great pride. I hope girls from far-off areas, who may not get much support, are encouraged to achieve their dreams. We never expected our daughter to win a gold medal at the international level, and she has done us proud.”
Currently working as MTS at GDC Poonch, Abhilove Kour has become an inspiration for young athletes across Jammu and Kashmir, proving that talent, determination, and dedication can lead to success on the global stage.
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