The Indigenius Grandmaster Emerges: Mir Nazir and the Revival of Ancient Warrior Arts

Since 1987, thanks to great efforts by one Kashmiri youngster, Sqay has not just returned to practice but is also reaching new heights. The 52-year veteran from the Drangbal locality of Saffron town Pampore rose to ranks from a modest player to an internationally acclaimed champion who founded Kashmir’s indigenous art form, Sqay, into an international sport played across 62 countries of the world.

Grandmaster Nazir Ahmed Mir was born on 7 May 1972 in Kashmir. He is the eldest son of his parents. Since childhood, Nazir was always been eager about the martial arts. A friend of his father who was an Indian army officer at Badamibagh Cantonment, Srinagar, in 1975 when he was just 5, was a martial art instructor and he taught young Nazir a few basic steps, which he practiced well with perfection. This made his family understand that Nazir has the penchant and the talent to become a good martial artist. The films and the persona of Bruce Lee always inspired this kid. And hence, His talent was supported by the family.

Nazir was just 13 when he lost his mother. This put the family in a very hard situation, but the martial artist growing inside him kept him sane and helped him in coping up with the loss of his mother. Nazir put more effort into practicing martial arts skills, not just venting his pain but making it a weapon. His career path was almost certain. Mir completed his schooling at Light House Public School in Pampore and then continued his studies at Higher Secondary School Pampore. After completing his formal education, he decided to pursue a career in physical education. He enrolled as a Physical Education Trainee at Nundukar College of Physical Education in Yavatmal District, Maharashtra State, and completed a one-year Certificate Course in Physical Education. He then pursued a three-year course in Physical Education, Bachelor in Physical Education (BPE), which he completed in 1997. This course is equivalent to a graduation degree and made him eligible to apply for the position of Physical Education Teacher.

Mir was eventually appointed as a Physical Education Teacher in the Department of Youth Services and Sports in 1997 through the JKSSRB in the Srinagar district cadre. His first place of posting as a Physical Education Teacher was at Govt. Middle School Repora in Ganderbal, which was then part of the Srinagar district and is now in the Ganderbal district. Mir's dedication to the field of physical education and his passion for martial arts have made him a well-known figure in the industry, known to millions of people throughout the country as Grand Master Mir Nazir.

During his training period at Nundukar College of Physical Education Yavatmal, Mir Nazir Ahmad met Shri. Trilok Kumar Singh, an instructor of Judo, helped him learn a new art and expand his skillset.