J&K Beach Volleyball Team shines despite quarterfinal exit at KIBG 2025

The Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory Beach Volleyball team put up an impressive show at the first edition of the Khelo India Beach Games (KIBG) 2025, currently being held in Diu, despite bowing out in the quarterfinals after a spirited contest against Kerala.

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In the quarterfinal clash today, J&K lost to Kerala in straight sets (0-2) with the scores reading 16-21 and 15-21. The match, though a loss, highlighted the grit and determination of the J&K players, especially Imtiaz and Azgar, who displayed commendable resilience and skill despite facing a seasoned opponent with deep-rooted beach sports experience.

The J&K team reached the quarterfinal stage after a remarkable journey in the group phase, where they defeated host team Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Chhattisgarh and earned national attention for their spirited game play.

Despite narrowly losing to Puducherry in a closely fought pool match, J&K secured second place in the group, earning a place in the knockout rounds. This achievement is especially notable given that Jammu & Kashmir lacks a coastal culture or environment, making their success a testament to their hard work and emerging sports infrastructure.