The excitement is palpable as the Khelo India women’s wushu league prepares to kick off its highly anticipated northern zonal round at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala. Running from July 9 to 13, this event is set to showcase the talents of 350 athletes competing across sub-junior, junior, and senior categories in both Sanda (fighting) and Taolu (forms).
Organized by SAI Patiala and supported by the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the competition features a substantial prize pool of Rs 7.2 lakh, facilitated by the Wushu Federation of India. Athletes from states including Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh will converge in Patiala to compete for top honors.
Following the successful South Zonal event held in Karnataka last month, the northern zonal round marks the next phase in the league’s calendar. It is a pivotal platform for athletes to demonstrate their skills and vie for national recognition ahead of the upcoming national ranking championship.
Among the notable participants are international wushu stars Ayeera Chisti and Komal Nagar, both of whom train at the NSNIS Patiala Centre and are eager to showcase their prowess on familiar turf. Ayeera, who has secured consecutive gold medals in previous Khelo India women’s wushu leagues, expressed her enthusiasm for competing once again in front of her home crowd.
“I am thrilled to participate in my third Khelo India women’s wushu league here at home, having achieved gold in the last two championships,” said Ayeera, reflecting on her journey since debuting in 2022.
Komal Nagar, also a formidable competitor at 19 years old, shared her ambitions beyond the league. “The Khelo India women’s league is a significant opportunity for many girls, especially for their future aspirations. I am grateful to the government for their support. Personally, I aim to secure a gold medal at the Asian Games in the 52kg category and become the first Indian woman to achieve this in this weight class. Before that, my focus is on winning gold at the senior Asian championships in China this September,” she added confidently.
The league not only aims to crown champions across various categories but also serves as a launching pad for aspiring athletes aiming to make their mark on the global stage. With fierce competition and high stakes, the northern zonal round of the Khelo India women’s wushu league promises to be a thrilling display of talent, determination, and the future of Indian sports.
