For Yasir Hayat Ahangar, the day does not always begin in the boardroom. Some mornings, before the demands of running his businesses take over, he finds time for a workout. Later, when the workday is over, he tries to return home early enough to play badminton with his children.
It is a routine that reflects a larger ambition, Ahangar wants sport to become more than a pastime in Kashmir. As the CEO of Swift Multiventures and a football franchise owner in the Kashmir Super League, he sees an opportunity for businesses to help organise, finance and nurture a sporting culture that he believes is rich in talent but still short of sustained corporate support.
For Yasir Hayat Ahangar, business and sport are not two separate worlds. Ahangar, who hails from Rainawari in Srinagar, sees the playing field as an extension of corporate responsibility and community building.
A businessman by profession and a sports enthusiast at heart, Ahangar says his association with sport predates his entrepreneurial journey. While he never pursued it professionally, he has always remained closely connected to sporting activities. Watching the success of the Kashmir Super League (KSL) last year convinced him that the corporate sector could play a much bigger role in nurturing local talent.
Inspired by the overwhelming public response to the league, Ahangar became the second franchise owner, viewing the investment as more than a commercial venture. “I wanted to contribute something meaningful to society,” he says, adding that his long-term vision extends beyond football to supporting sports such as cricket and badminton.
Managing a growing business alongside sporting commitments, he credits teamwork rather than individual effort for making it possible. With the support of his brother Bilal and a dedicated team, Ahangar says he is able to strike a balance between business and social initiatives. Despite his hectic schedule, he makes time every morning for exercise, believing that personal fitness is essential for maintaining discipline and productivity.
He believes Kashmir possesses immense sporting talent that is increasingly being recognised worldwide. However, he feels local corporate participation has not kept pace with the potential. While appreciating the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts of many businesses, he argues that sports deserve far greater attention and investment.
Swift Multiventures, he says, intends to strengthen its engagement with grassroots sports. The company also aims to adopt and fully support a local football club, providing sustained backing instead of one-off sponsorships.
Ahangar is equally concerned about the mushrooming of unorganised sporting events across Kashmir. While the growing enthusiasm for sports is encouraging, he believes commercialisation without professionalism has created several challenges. According to him, leagues and tournaments should be managed by qualified professionals to ensure transparency, discipline and credibility.
“We want to be part of that reformation,” he says, expressing confidence that structured management can transform the sporting ecosystem in the Valley.
Away from boardrooms, badminton remains Ahangar’s favourite sport. Whenever time permits, he plays with his children, making it a part of family life. He believes such moments not only strengthen family bonds but also encourage children to embrace active lifestyles from an early age.
Concerned by the rise of sedentary lifestyles driven by smartphones and desk-bound jobs, Ahangar advocates regular physical activity. Whether it is a morning walk, gym session or any sport, he believes exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce stress, improve productivity and maintain overall well-being.
His concern extends beyond fitness to one of Kashmir’s most pressing social issues, drug addiction. Describing it as a growing threat to the younger generation, he says the first line of defence lies within the family. Parents, he believes, must remain actively involved in their children’s lives while communities and local institutions should work together to provide constructive alternatives through sports and recreational activities.
For Ahanger, sports are far more than competition. They represent discipline, opportunity and hope. Having built his business from modest beginnings, he believes every individual, regardless of background, has the capacity to contribute to society. Through corporate participation in sports, he hopes to inspire young people to stay away from drugs, pursue healthy lifestyles and realise their potential.
His vision is simple but ambitious, a Kashmir where businesses invest not only in economic growth but also in building stronger communities through sport.
