SRINAGAR: Momin Javaid cannot hide his emotions when he recalls the days of his struggle. No experience, no skill, no mentor, yet the dreams were taller than mountains. Fast-forward to 2026, Momin has become `Oxey’, the cult volleyball player who recently returned home after proving his mettle in the national championship.
However, the journey from Momin to Oxey was not easy for this 24-year-old student from Anantnag. The lanky lad worked hard, overcame challenges, and honed skills to become one of the famous volleyball players in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Just a few days ago, we had a tournament here. Over 4000 people cheered for us. Oxey, Oxey was on everyone’s lips. Today, when I sit back, I realize the hard work has paid off,” Momin told The Kashmir Monitor.
Momin is one among many players who will be playing in the prestigious South Kashmir Volleyball League. Modeled on the Indian Premier League, the tourney will be held in Shopian from May 14 to 17.
“Six district teams, including Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam, Rajouri, and Poonch, will be participating in the tourney. It will be the first time that the teams will be allowed to hire two players from other districts. We have had tourneys earlier, too. This time it is different,” Mohammad Tariq, President, Volleyball Association Jammu and Kashmir, told The Kashmir Monitor.
For the unversed, volleyball has not received its due, though people in villages, private courtyards, and picnic spots used to play the game for leisure. Enter, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, the volleyball is not receiving its due share in the sports arena. Several big names are making Jammu and Kashmir proud on the national and international scene.
Sample this: Asghar Ali from Kulgam is a national champion in volleyball. Playing since 2009, he has reached the position of captain of the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s volleyball team. This time, he is participating in the South Kashmir Volleyball League for a reason. He wants to add his contribution to the 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir drive.
“Drugs are eating the vitals of our society. I want to contribute to the drive. My main aim is to drive people away from drugs. Sports are the best catharsis. We have had a friendly match in Kulgam recently. Nearly 4000 people turned up to watch us play. I want ot use volleyball as a medium to send a message that `shun drugs and join sports’,” he said.
Nuzhat Gul, Secretary J&K Sports Council, said every league organised on the soil of Jammu and Kashmir is more than a sporting event. “It is a bridge between aspiration and opportunity, carrying the dreams of rural youth towards national prominence while shaping the Union Territory into a thriving hub of sporting excellence,” she told The Kashmir Monitor.