For those who stereotype Kashmiris, this should serve as an eye-opener!
History has been scripted after four out of nine members in kickboxing team representing India in the World Kickboxing Championship in Argentina are from Kashmir.
Hashim Ashraf, Aabid Hamid, both budding sportspersons of Army Goodwill School, Hanzik and Irshad Ahmad from Bandipora are those part of the team.
Aabroo Bashir is the lone girl in the four-member Kashmiri contingent which will represent India in the Championship from November 4 to 12 at Buenos Aires.
In fact, it was Army which spotted the talent of Hashim Ashraf and Aabid Hamid when they joined Army Goodwill School. Seeing their interest in sports and martial arts, the Army decided to invest in the students who were from a humble background.
“Accordingly, a sports teacher and a coach were hired by the school management and the duo was encouraged to participate in district, state and national level tournaments in the past two years,” said an Army officer.
Hashim Ashraf and Aabid Hamid represented Team India in Wushu at Moscow Wushu Stars 2017 competition in November last year, thanks to Army sponsorship. Hashim Ashraf won Silver at the event.
“We’ve worked very hard. I am hopeful of bagging the medal this year too,” said Hashim, who has been playing the game for the last six years.
Army said the inspired performance of Hashim Ashraf and Aabid Hamid will serve as a motivation for others in times to come. “They left no stone unturned in making most of this opportunity,” said an Army spokesman.
Irshad Ahmad and Aabroo Bashir were financially supported by the Bandipora district administration after they qualified for the world championship.
“We have given them Rs 85,000 and other equipment needed for the tournament,” said Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, district development commissioner Bandipora.
“We worked hard on the players and they qualified for the event. We hope that they will bring laurels,” said Faisal Ali Dar, coach of state kickboxing team.
In 2016, Tajamul Islam became the youngest Kashmiri girl to strike gold for India in the world kickboxing championship in Italy. She was then a standard II student of Army Goodwill School Bandipora.
