Srinagar, Oct 24: Calling for greater opportunities for women in golf, Srinagar-based golfers Haya Qazi and Rubina Farooq Rafiquee have urged schools, colleges and golf courses to encourage female participation and establish proper training facilities to nurture young talent in Kashmir.
Participating in the invitational Labaika Cup Golf Tournament 2026 at the Royal Springs Golf Course (RSGC), the two golfers said that while the sport offered considerable opportunities at national and international levels, more women needed to take it up in Kashmir.
Qazi, who has been playing golf for the past 15-16 years, said the organisers were encouraging towards women participants. She also had a successful outing at the tournament, winning the longest-drive accolade.
“There is a lot of scope because there are many opportunities for female golfers in India and internationally. I would suggest that those who want to start should do so at a young age so they can develop their skills and learn to love the sport,” Qazi said.
Describing golf as a mentally demanding sport, she said it was unique because players were often competing against themselves. She called on schools and colleges to send female students to golf programmes and urged RSGC and other courses to introduce dedicated training initiatives for women.
Rafiquee, a member of Royal Spring Golf Course who has been playing for the past eight years, said the Labaika Cup was around her 20th tournament and provided an excellent experience. She praised the organisers for encouraging women to participate.
“I have never felt that golf is a male-dominated game. Male golfers have always encouraged me. They often tell me that I play well and should bring more women into the sport,” she said.
Rafiquee also welcomed the reported initiative to open registrations and offer free membership to women, describing it as a significant step towards increasing female participation.
However, she stressed that access to membership needed to be complemented by professional coaching and structured training.
“It is very necessary to start this game at an early age. There should be an academy where women receive proper coaching and facilities, as happens in other states. Children should also be encouraged to take up the sport,” she said.
Rafiquee said participating in a professional tournament in Kashmir, where amateurs competed alongside professionals, had provided her with valuable exposure.
Both golfers stated that sustained encouragement, early exposure and dedicated coaching programmes could help more women take up golf and progress to competitive levels.
