Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday congratulated the under-12 floor ball team from Pulwama for winning the silver medal at the 18th Floor Ball Championship held in Andhra Pradesh.
He gave special recognition to nine-year-old Usman Parvaiz, a specially-abled boy, for showcasing remarkable talent despite physical challenges.
“Congratulations to the Pulwama Under-12 Floor Ball team for securing the silver medal in the 18th Floor Ball Championship held in Andhra Pradesh. Special recognition goes to Usman Parvaiz, a nine-year-old boy, whose role in achieving this feat is truly commendable. Despite his disability, he did not let it hinder him from achieving success. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire team and wish them continued success in their future endeavours,” CM Omar posted on his social media handle.
Tawseef Ashraf, the coach of the Pulwama under-12 floor ball team, expressed his gratitude for the CM’s encouraging words. “The comments will inspire me and my team to work hard and do better in the future,” he said.
Tawseef, a young martial arts and floor ball coach from Qasbayar village, shared that the team performed well in the championship. “We won two matches and drew two others,” he said, adding that they finished second on the points table, clinching the silver medal, while Tamil Nadu topped the list, winning gold. Eighteen teams from different parts of the country participated in the event.
Usman, who plays as a striker, demonstrated his talent by scoring three goals in the championship. He was previously adjudged the best player at a national-level event in September 2024. A class 3 student, Usman has hearing and speech impairments but has shown exceptional talent in floor ball and martial arts.
Tawseef, who runs the SADAAT National Sports Club at Rajpora, recalled how Usman used to quietly watch the practice sessions from a corner. Despite initial communication challenges due to Usman’s impairments, Tawseef gradually built a connection with him and discovered his talent.
“Usman used to come to the ground, sit in a corner, and watch us during practice sessions,” Tawseef said. “At first, I was unable to communicate with him due to his hearing and speech impairment, but over time, we struck a chord, and he showed remarkable talent in the game.”
