After winning silver medal , Kashmiri cyclist Adil Altaf has proved his mettle again in Khelo India Youth Games 2021 by bagging gold medal in 70 kms mass start road cycling event, being played at Punchkala Haryana.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir , Manoj Sinha also extended felicitations to cyclist Adil for his success in Khelo India Youth Games by creating record, bagging historic gold and team cycling J&K for standing second runner up in overall cycling events.
“Congratulations to Adil Altaf for a historic gold and a new record at Khelo India Youth Games. Cycling team of Jammu Kashmir scripted history by winning second runner trophy. #KIYG2021,”(sic) LG tweeted.
While bringing laurels to valley, 18-year-old Adil achieved this feat by accomplishing 72 kms race in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 22 seconds, on Saturday, followed by Sidhesh Patil from Maharashtra who finished second and Arshad Faridi of Delhi securing third place in the event.
Adil competed with 25 professional cyclist from across India in U19 category mass start event.
Jammu and Kashmir cycling team stood second runner up in the overall cycling events in KIYG-2021.
Pertinently, Son of tailor Shah Altaf, Adil has already won silver medal for J&K in 28 kms individual time trial event on June 10, 2022 in KIYG 2021 being played at Haryana.
He achieved this feat on Friday morning at 6 am while finishing second, by covering distance of 28 Kilometres taking time of 52 minutes and 22 seconds.
He competed with 20 top cyclist from across India in junior U19 category in individual time trail event.
However, Gold went to Mukash Kumar Kaswan of Rajasthan who stood first by taking 45 minutes 38 seconds to finish the race.
Adil was accompanied by Physical Trainer Instructor (PTI) Government Degree College(GDC) Soibugh, Budgam, Dr. Mohd Akbar Khan as Coach cum Manager.
Hailing from Lal Bazar area in central Kashmir’s Srinagar district, Adil is 12th standard commerce student in Kashmir Harvard School, Habak Naseem Bagh.
Adil started his cycling journey at the age of 15 and since than he kept improving with each passing day.
“I started my cycling journey at the age of 15 and since then I have been bagging several medals at state level and attained positions in first five’s in nationals,” Adil told Rising Kashmir.
He took part first time in cycling at his school Kashmir Harvard when 8 kms cycling event was organised there.
“For past six months, I have been training at NIS patiala for this event, ” he says.
He credits his success to parents, his School management and people of valley.
“I am happy for winning gold and silver medals for J&K and dedicate these medals to my parents, my school and people of J&K, ” he said.
For past three years, Adil has been securing several medals including Gold and silver medals in various state level championships.
Being from humble family background, professional cycling was never easy as he always lacked equipment for which he had to depend upon sponsors.
But to him, SBI sponsorship served as a boon at the time when he needed it the most.
He says that it would not have possible without the support of State Bank of India (SBI) Lal Bazar Branch, who bought him cycle ( MTB bike) casting Rs.4.5 lacs.
While speaking to Rising Kashmir Dr. Akbar Khan said that he is hopeful that Adil will bring more laurels to J&K at national and international level in coming times as he has great potential for cycling sport.
“It is not only a proud moment for me but whole of J&K,” he said.
“Adil is sincere, hardworking, devoted and focused to his training and goal. He, not only has potential to compete in nationals but internationals as well,” he said, and added, “I congratulate him, his family and whole J&K for his grand success in the event.”
Various professional cyclists from across Kashmir have congratulated Adil for his achievements in national event.
