‘Sheen Jung’ goes pro in Kashmir: Picturesque Nagamarg to host first-ever tournament; 2 teams vie for title  

SRINAGAR:  For a change, Sheen Jung goes professional in Kashmir.

Padma Shri award-winning martial arts coach Faisal Ali Dar has announced the first ever `Sheen Jung’ tournament at picturesque Nagamarg, Ketsan in Bandipora district.

“We have the best powder snow in Kashmir. It is ideal for Sheen Jung. Tourists get excited to see so much snow in Kashmir. They throw snowballs at each other.  If tourists can enjoy Sheen Jung, why can’t we give it a formal shape? Therefore I decided to start the tournament on professional lines,” Dar told The Kashmir Monitor.

To start with, Dar is organizing a tournament with two teams at Nagamarg, Ketsan on Sunday. Each team will have 10 players. “We have framed proper rules and guidelines for the tournament. It can’t be held in a haphazard game. We want to give it a professional touch so that it goes places from next season,” he said.

A square shape court will be established on the snow for the tournament. There will be a boundary in between. Each team will stay 50 meters away from each other. 

“The team that wins the toss will choose either attack or defence. Those attacking will be given reasonable time to hit at the rival team. The other team will do all maneuvers to defend and foil the attack,” said Dar.

There will be different rounds in the match. And every time team will have different tasks to do.  “There will be safe areas and blocks in the court. Plus, the teams cannot cross boundaries. Attack means throwing snowballs at the defending team. Those having the highest hits will win the match,” said Dar.

Dar, who coached the World Kickbox Champion Tajamul Islam, said Sheen Jung has the potential to become one of the most popular games in Kashmir. 

“People love this sport. This is in our DNA. We have been doing Sheen Jung for ages. People have sweet memories of Sheen Jung. So making it professional will go a long way in boosting the traditional sports of Kashmir.  In winter, it will put a smile on our faces,” said Dar, who also heads Ali Sports Academy in Bandipora.