Srinagar, Oct 25: Dr Ghulam Hassan has been appointed Coach/Manager of the Indian team for the forthcoming World Soft Tennis Championship in China, adding to Jammu and Kashmir’s growing presence in the sport.

His appointment by the Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India (ASTFI) comes as three players from J&K—Sidhani Singh, Shreemai Bhatt and Madhvender Singh Sambyal—prepare to represent the country at the international championship.
Dr Hassan previously served as an official with the Indian contingent at the 9th Asian Soft Tennis Championship held in South Korea from September 13 to 23, 2025.
A founding figure of the J&K Amateur Soft Tennis Association, he has played a key role in promoting the sport through grassroots initiatives, rural outreach and district-level competitions, helping young athletes access structured training and competitive opportunities.
J&K’s emerging talent has also delivered results at the national level. At the 21st Junior National Soft Tennis Championship held at SKISC, Srinagar, Shreemai Bhatt won two bronze medals, while Madhvender Singh Sambyal secured one bronze.
The participation of three players and an official from J&K in India’s World Championship contingent highlights the Union Territory’s growing contribution to the sport.
The achievement also underscores the importance of grassroots development, institutional support and sustained training in creating opportunities for young athletes to compete at national and international levels.
As the Indian team prepares for China, the challenge will be to build on this progress through better infrastructure, more qualified coaches and wider participation across districts, strengthening J&K’s presence on the international sporting stage.