The Jammu and Kashmir government has granted permission to Bilquis Mir to serve as the chief coach for the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing team at the 2026 Asian Games following directions from the Supreme Court.
In line with recent directions from the Supreme Court, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday (September 15, 2026) granted permission to Bilquis Mir, a Physical Education Teacher, to discharge her duties as chief coach of the Indian National Kayaking and Canoeing team for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
An order issued by the Department of Youth Services and Sports stated that Ms. Mir is accorded a limited No Objection Certificate (NOC) and relieved to join, discharge her coaching assignments, and accompany the national team. However, the order emphasized that the permission is operative only for the duration reasonably necessary for the Asian Games assignment and connected official travel, explicitly barring any private foreign travel or unconnected engagements.
The Supreme Court had issued an order on September 10 in favor of Ms. Mir, quashing a prior official order that denied her permission on the grounds of pending departmental inquiries and service conditions. Having missed two international events since 2023 due to travel permission denials, Ms. Mir stated, "I urge all to support sportspersons of J&K. I am happy to the represent India and will serve my country."
The controversy dates back to 2023, when Ms. Mir faced an Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) inquiry following an anonymous complaint regarding her Bachelor in Physical Education qualification. In July 2025, the J&K High Court quashed the FIR. Justice Sanjay Dhar of the High Court characterized the investigating agency's actions as a "witch-hunt," observing that criminalizing the non-acquisition of a technical qualification by someone who brought global recognition to the country reflected poorly on how sporting heroes are treated.
Dubbed the 'Aqua Queen' of Kashmir for training local boys and girls in water sports since 1998, Ms. Mir previously served as the secretary of the J&K Water Sports Kayaking and Canoeing Association. Her global credentials include becoming the first Indian woman on the Paris Olympics jury in 2024 and serving as the Chief Finish Line Judge at the 2025 Asian Championship in Nanjing, China.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.