We would love to train I-league teams’

P S Bali The two Kashmiris, Sajid and Hilal, now eligible to train I-League teams, had never thought of achieving the most reputed AFC B-License coaching. The duo was a key player of YMCA football club in 1998 when for the first time any private club clinched the title of State Championship. In a brief chat with Rising Kashmir the duo shared their experiences: What does it mean to be a B-license coach in Kashmir? SD: To be the first and the only B-licensed coach from the state definitely means a lot. Asian Football Confederation’s B-license courses standardize the level of coaching all over India and now we are eligible to train I-league teams. B-license has also provided us the chance to learn innovative trends of international coaching. HP: I feel we are the ambassadors. AFC’s B-license has promised us new horizons in the game. After completing C-license course, my vision about football was limited but now I came to know that coaching and football are wide fields, full of chapters to learn. Do you desire to join a particular team (s)? SD: I would prefer to coach the University of Kashmir. Our state is in need of qualified coaches and I want to serve here. I would love to work outside if I get a chance. HP: I want to work for my State and my priority will always be the J&K bank. I would definitely like to work outside. The credit of your success goes to… SD: Obviously the Almighty Allah. I am grateful to my father Muhammad Yousuf Dar who encouraged me at every step of my life. I also thank entire JKFA especially its former and presiding General Secretaries for this achievement. Young Mans Christian Association has also helped us to achieve this feat. I would also like to thank the Director Department of Physical Education and Sports Kashmir University, Prof Nisar Ahamd Rather, and former Chairman Sports Campus and HoD Physics Prof Farooq Ahmad and University Competent Authorities for extending their support. HP: All the credit goes to Almighty Allah. I also thank my well wishers and J&K bank for the valued support. YMCA put us on the track to bag this achievement besides the support of JKFA. What would be your message for the budding coaches of the state? SD: Unfortunately after completing NIS many people consider themselves as professionals which is neither a fact nor advisable. I suggest them to put to use their experience on the fields. This would help them prepare for licensed courses. HP: Be honest to the profession, utilize your experience on the fields and try innovative ideas for betterment of game. Felicitations: “This is an achievement for the entire state. Sajid and Hilal have emerged as professional and qualified coaches. On behalf of entire FPWA, I congratulate them for making us proud.” Zahoor Haroon (Secretary FPWA) “It is an achievement not only for football lovers but the entire sports fraternity of the state. I want JKFA to continue to recommended meritorious candidates for such coaching courses in future to build exemplary and innovative standard of football in J&K.” Showket Khanyari (Chairman Shaheen Sports Syndicate) “This is really good news for the football game in our state and would bring new definition to the game of football. I am very happy that J&K has talented and qualified coaches.” Mehraj-u-din Wadoo (International footballer).

JK Women Rugby teams ready national

PS Bali Srinagar May 20: The JK U16 girls and Senior Women Rugby teams are gearing up for the upcoming All India U16 girls and women rugby sevens national championship to be held at Delhi from June 2. The championship will be organized by Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) in collaboration with North India Rugby Football Union and Delhi Rugby Union. JK team will leave on June 31 to participate in the championship. JK senior women and U-16 rugby team comprises of 10 players. The JKRA is hopeful that many from JK would be part of Indian squad for Asian games and international sevens championship. “The girls are competitive and have talent to shine at any level. We are hopeful that many of our girls would be part of Indian squad,” said JKRA official. Squad of 30 members for the upcoming International Sevens (4 overseas Tournaments) and 15 for the Asian Games shall be spotted from this tournament, the observers of IRFU would be present on the spot to monitor and spot the best talent. The selected squad will undergo training Camp at Balewadi from June 13 and will be trained there until the Asian Games in November took place. Besides, Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) is planning to introduce a new event Tag Rugby for children to aware them about the Rugby. International Rugby Board (IRB) is promoting the Tag rugby as part of the promoting the game to new comers and children. Tag is considered to be a learning path for children wishing to learn Rugby. IRFU is planning to organize coaching camps to introduce the event. They are also intending to conduct an excursion for the kids in Delhi. “This is a concept which would help children.” IRFU has roped in Paul Walsh to make the new event successful.

JK cyclist eyes national laurels

PS Bali Srinagar May 14: After winning this year’s inter-college cycling championship, Mohammad Akbar Khan -first year student of Amar Singh College- is determined to out shine the cyclists from across the country in the inter-university and other national championships. Khan is under the tutelage of professional trainers and labors hard in two shifts to finish at top at national championship. To make his dream come true, the young cyclist is willing to sell a portion of his land to import professional racing cycle. In a free wheeling chat with the Rising Kashmir, Khan talks about his future plans in cycling … Inter-college cycle race champion… It was unbelievable to out-perform the top most cyclists of the Valley in the competition. I had worked very hard which has paid off. It has given me enough determination to take on the cyclists at inter-university competitions. I will work hard to prove my metal there also. Daily schedule… In the morning, I do vigorous cycling on national highway near Narbal. I along with other cyclists cover distance of 25 kilometers per day. In the evening I go to gym and build more stamina and power. I consult Physio Dr Syed Gazi for my fitness. I have been working on this schedule for the last two years. NIS qualified Coach Ghulam Rasool Kawa is training me and I feel lucky to have the professional trainers to help me achieve my goal. Future plans…. We are good riders and can do better at national level also. We only need to work hard on our own. Government has already disappointed cyclists. I work hard for upcoming State championship from where I will prepare for national championship. I want to get imported cycle for national championship to prove that Kashmir boys can also excel.

Kashmir Bruce Lee turns craftsman

P S Bali Srinagar May 22: Martial Arts, the fighting arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat. The game is considered as both an art and a science through out the globe and people lend respect for the masters. But unfortunately the Martial Art champion in Valley, Ghulam Rasool Khan, has been ignored by all shoving him to work as a Paper Machie craftsman and as a physical teacher at some private school to earn basic livelihood. Despite having a good profile and wide experience in Martial arts, Rasool is unable to deliver it further. Ghulam Rasool has sacrificed more than 18 years of his life in this game but he is yet to be recognized, the piles of medals, trophies, certificates and souvenirs is all he had in his kitty right now. In a conversation with Rising Kashmir, Ghulam Rasool revealed his agony of being ignored. Over to him…. Government’s apathy At no step I found any help from authorities. I have received only verbal encouragement which was never implemented. Due to apathy of authorities, I have done work of Paper Machie for long time, now my talent is ruined at some private school, I am working there as a physical teacher to earn basic livelihood. The fate of the Khan is such that, his student are adjusted but he is yet to be recognized, “due to my less academic record, I am still striving from door to door to get identification even after having heap of rewards and appreciation tokens. The decision of Khan of settling down here in Kashmir is turning out as a curse as no body is interesting to exploit his talent. Boy turning into ‘Bruce Lee’ I started learning Martial Arts when I was only 12 by an Afghani trainer ‘Murtaza’. The movements and tricks to defend in this game attracted me towards this game. I usually use to watch Murtaza performing different tricks, which lured me to this game. I am associated with this game for over 18 years. I am the only person of valley to be associated with this game for so long. I have accumulated piles of certificates, appreciation rewards and other mementoes which I have won at various state and national level tournaments. Besides, I have been tagged as ‘Bruce Lee’ at every competition as my stunts would mesmerize audience. But, all seems to be of no use. Contribution to the game… My only aim is to promote martial art in valley, for which I am already working from past several years. In 1994, I initiated Lee’s club of Martial Art in a government school, with the aim of imparting techniques of self defense among Valleyities, but in 2002 I had to close it forcibly due to intervention of School principal of that time. Now I am eking out my living as a physical teacher in a private school. Breif Profile: Bagged gold in North India full Contract Karate Championship in 1998. Clinched gold in xiv Lee Invitational Taekwondo Championship in 1998, at shimla Bagged gold medal in 4th state (ITF) Taekwondo Championship in 1997. Secured 3rd position in 1st Open District Taekwondo Championship in 1998. Clinched 3rd position in 6th Open Kashmir Judo Championship in 1998. Bagged gold medal in 2nd Open Kashmir Taekwondo Championship in 1998. Honours • Brown Belt in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do from International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Federation of India in 1999. • Black Belt 1st Dan in Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do from International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Federation of India in 1999. • Black Belt 1st Dan from Master Hinchun martial arts club, Punjab India, Affiliated to International China martial Arts federation in 2010. • Kang Fu training from Neta Ji Subash Modern Sports Club, New Delhi, India from 1992-1994.

DDE organizes road race

PS Bali

Srinagar May 23:

Directorate of Distance Education (DDE), Kashmir University Sunday organized an annual road race for its students from Nehru Park to Nishat Garden.

Head Dean Student’s Welfare KU, AR Yousuf, flagged off the race in which about 50 students of department participated. Javed Ahmad bagged the first position while as Masood-ul-Hassan and Showket Husain Kanoo finished second and third respectively.

“The event is aimed to boost the morale of the students. It will give us a health society,” said AR Yousuf.

He also encouraged students for participation.

“We should have the spirit of participation and make sure we are part of the sports activities. Winning or losing does not matter,” said Yousuf.

DDE has charted out series of events besides number of seminars and workshops to celebrate the year 2010 as the ‘international year of sports and youth’.

“We want every body to be part of this celebration to make the year successful in sports,” said DDE , Prof Shafeeqa Parveen.

This is the first time that DDE is conducting any such sporting event for the whole year,

Sports in-charge of the department, Dr Nahid Ruhee said such activities let students interact with each other.

DDE is planning to organize the events including base ball, swimming, kayaking and canoeing, rock climbing and white water rafting.

KU robs women cricket team off prize money

Money belongs to team: experts Approach JKCA: KU to players PS BALI Srinagar May 28: Despite winning the cricket tournament in September last year, the Kashmir University women cricket team is yet to receive prize of Rs 15000 as award money for the tournament. The winning team members alleged that in spite of repeated requests, the Directorate of Physical Education and Sports (DoPES) KU did not distribute the money among them. “A cheque of Rs 15,000 was handed over to our captain, who later passed it to the team coach,” said the team members, adding, “ When we later asked for the money, the coach directed us to collect the money from the Directorate.” KU women’s cricket team had defeated Women’s College M A Road in the final which was held in September last year in which many college teams had participated. “Since then, we have been asking for our money but of no avail,” said the players. Interestingly, the Director DoPES KU Nisar Ahmad is asking the students to approach JKCA for the transfer of cheque in their favor. “We received the cheque of Rs 15000 from JKCA but it favors to the department,” said Nisar. “The money is in the university chest. It was awarded for promotion of sports” However, the experts opine the cheque or the cash prize is ‘ultimately’ the right of team members. “The team members work hard for the title and only they deserve the money. The department retains the trophy only,” said Physical Director Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Altaf-ul-Rehman.