The J&K Sports Council, in collaboration with the J&K Indian Style Wrestling Association, is set to organise the International Dangal and “Rustam-e-Jammu & Kashmir” Title Championship, a first-of-its-kind event in the region aimed at promoting youth engagement, health and fitness while preserving the rich heritage of indigenous sports. The championship will be held on 20th December 2025 at M.A. Stadium, Jammu, and is expected to draw large public participation and widespread media attention. The event of this stature will be held after more than a decade in main Jammu city.
Wrestling, popularly known as Dangal, Kushti or Pahalwani, is an integral part of the cultural legacy of Jammu, especially in rural and border belts where it has been nurtured for generations. Preserving and promoting such traditional sports is essential not only to safeguard cultural identity but also to pass on values of discipline, strength, resilience and community bonding to the younger generation. Through this championship, the stakeholders aim to revive this age-old sport by providing a modern, professional platform while retaining its traditional essence.
More than 50 national and international wrestlers are expected to participate in the grand event, including renowned athletes from countries such as Russia and Iran and other Asian countries along with top wrestlers from across India. The championship, being organised with technical support from the Indian Style Wrestling Federation of India, is poised to showcase high-quality competition and elevate the standard of indigenous wrestling in the region.
The event will also serve as an effective platform to propagate key government social initiatives, particularly the “Nasha Mukt Abhiyan” and the ongoing War Against Drugs. By actively engaging youth in sports and physical fitness, the championship seeks to promote a healthy, disciplined and drug-free lifestyle, underlining the role of sports as a powerful tool for positive social change.
The Government of Jammu & Kashmir, through the Department of Youth Services and Sports alongside J&K Sports Council, continues to play a proactive role in strengthening sports infrastructure, encouraging traditional and modern sports alike, and creating opportunities for athletes at all levels. Such initiatives reflect the government’s broader vision of making Jammu & Kashmir a vibrant hub of national and international sports activities, while also boosting sports tourism and providing exposure to local talent.
In addition to open category bouts, the championship will introduce the prestigious “Rustam-e-Jammu & Kashmir” Title, to be contested exclusively by wrestlers above 85 kg. The title winner will be awarded a cash prize of ₹50,000 along with traditional honours of Gurj (Gadda) and Patta, while the runner-up and other position holders will receive appropriate cash prizes. Around 50 wrestlers, supported by 15–20 officials, are expected to take part, with an anticipated audience of 10,000–15,000 spectators.
The general public is invited to witness this grand sporting spectacle at M.A. Stadium, Jammu, from 11:30 AM onwards on 20th December 2025. Entry to the event will be free for all.
