Shopian’s Waseem Ahmad Bakshi Selected for Indian Para Cricket Team, Meets DC Shishir Gupta
SHOPIAN, JUNE 09: In a historic and inspiring milestone for Jammu & Kashmir, Waseem Ahmad Bakshi—the son of a local laborer from Cheki Diaroo Drangnar village—has been officially selected for the Indian Para Cricket Team. To celebrate the achievement, Bakshi met with the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Shopian, Shishir Gupta, today at the Mini Secretariat. DC Gupta warmly congratulated the young athlete, expressing immense pride and noting that Bakshi’s remarkable feat will serve as a powerful catalyst to inspire other youth across the region to pursue sports.
Bakshi’s transition to the international arena is the crowning achievement of years of relentless hard work, dedication, and resilience. Since 2021, he has been a standout performer representing Jammu & Kashmir in national-level para-cricket competitions. His consistently stellar performances on the domestic circuit have finally earned him the coveted national jersey, clearing his path to represent India in upcoming international tournaments.
Beyond his cricket prowess, Bakshi is a highly decorated, multi-sport athlete. He recently stood out as the sole participant from the Kashmir valley to represent J&K at the 24th National Para Athletics Championship 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. His expansive sporting portfolio also includes winning two bronze medals at a major championship in Uttarakhand, securing a gold medal in the 100-meter sprint at the 2023 Vyom Apple Fest, and clinching over six medals in inter-college competitions. Bakshi’s extraordinary journey from a remote village in Shopian to the global stage stands as a powerful symbol of determination and triumph, offering deep inspiration for the youth and the persons with disabilities community alike.