Gulmarg has produced many winter stories, but few have travelled from its frozen rink to the world stage. Mohammad Sarfaraz is currently serving as the captain of India’s National Ice Stock Sport national team in the Team Game, did not grow up dreaming of this sport. In 2014, he was a professional rugby player representing Jammu and Kashmir at national level.
A former professional rugby player from Jammu and Kashmir, Sarfaraz’s journey into Ice Stock Sport began in 2014 at Gulmarg during a winter rugby event. With rugby largely inactive in Kashmir’s winters, he joined training sessions conducted by German coach Manfred Schaefer. Within weeks, he represented Jammu and Kashmir at the 1st Winter National Ice Stock Sports Championship in Gulmarg and won a gold medal, marking the beginning of a remarkable competitive run.
Over the next decade, Sarfaraz established himself as a dominant national figure. His performances at the Winter National Championships and multi-sport events built a record of rare consistency. In 2018, he was appointed captain of the Indian team in the Team Game event. Under his leadership, India’s international standing has steadily improved—from 11th place at the 12th World Championship in Austria (2018), to 9th in Germany (2020), and a best-ever 7th at the 15th World Championship in Austria (2025). He also recorded 154 points in the Target Competition at the China International Cup in Harbin in 2019.
After a brief slowdown during 2021–2022 due to personal circumstances, Sarfaraz returned strongly in 2023 with a silver medal at the Khelo India Winter Games and gold at the 10th Winter National Championship. In 2024, he added a silver at the 3rd Summer National Ice Stock Sports Championship in Srinagar, followed by gold at the 11th Winter National in Gulmarg. He continued his dominance with gold at the 12th Winter National in 2025 and the 13th edition in 2026.
Sports officials in Jammu and Kashmir credit Sarfaraz’s sustained leadership and discipline for anchoring India’s rise in a sport that was virtually unknown in the country a decade ago. What began as a practical winter alternative for a rugby player has evolved into national leadership on the world stage.
Mohammad Sarfaraz – Major National Medals
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