Shopian, Jan 27 : A 19-year-old boy from Shopian has brought laurels to Jammu and Kashmir by bagging gold medal in 23rd National Sqay Championship 2023 held in Jammu
Faizan Ayoub Khan of Pinjoora village in Shopian who is pursuing BPE in Nagpur has won three gold medals in martial arts at international level so far.
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer, he said that he was happy to win the gold medal at the national level in martial arts once again as it gives him more confidence to perform at the international level as well.
He said that he has been interested in martial arts since his childhood and started his journey when he was just 13 year old and has been giving training to interested youth.
He said that it was a great learning experience and will work hard to perform well in upcoming events.
“I am very happy to win this medal and am trying to work hard and further excel and perform well at the mega stages. So far I have won three gold medals at international level and these tournaments were played in Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand. I have won 30 gold medals at national level and five times a grand Champion trophy winner as well,” he added.
He said that authorities have named a cricket stadium Faizan Ayoub Sports Stadium at Lanthoora for his achievements.
For winning gold medals at national level for consecutive years, the Sqay Federation of India has given him the title “Tiger of India”.
On being asked about sports infrastructure in J&K, he said, “J&K as of now lacks infrastructure and we have only some small stadiums available for cricket only. Neither there is any infrastructure nor do we get any financial support from the administration and even we have to buy equipment that are required ourselves, he said while requesting the government to provide a platform to the youth of J&K so that youth can be engaged in sports activities and keep them away from drug addiction.”
“I have started an academy as well where I am training both boys and girls who are interested in this field so that they can perform well wherever they will get opportunity and to keep them away from drug addiction,” he said.
He said that to stay away from drug and anti-social activities, there is a need to get involved in sports and martial arts as engaging in sports activities is a must for mental and physical development.
He said that our youth are very much talented and there is need to provide them platform and support them so that they won’t face any problem in reaching to mega stages and perform well there—(KNO)
