Kolkata: After Tajamul Islam, it’s another kid from Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) who does India proud on the world sporting forum. Hashim Mansoor (6) hailing from the same Bandipora district in the state as Tajamul, has won the gold medal in the Asian Karate Championship at the Talkatora Stadium, Delhi. “I am very happy to win this medal. I had been practising for this since the past one year. It was difficult, but I still won the fight,” a delighted Hashim was quoted by news agency ANI.
Mansoor was part of the Sub-Junior category in the Asian championship. Overall, representatives from 19 countries fought it out in the tournament. However, the journey to the top wasn’t smooth enough, according to his coach. “It is a huge thing to win this Championship as there are not enough resources for sports in Kashmir. Hashim faced a lot of hurdles to reach here,” his coach said. The next halt for Hashim will be the World Karate Championship to in September next year.
Tajamul (7) brought India laurels by winning the Gold at the World Kickboxing Championship in Italy in the Under-8 category. The achievements of these Kashmiri kids come in the wake of a severe cross-border clashes between India and Pakistan-backed terrorists. Post-Uri which saw around 19 of our soldiers killed, there have been several ceasefire violations by Pakistan. A new Army Chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa taking charge of the Pakistani Army and threats by the outgoing Army Chief Raheel Sharif, tensions between the two countries are unlikely to recede over the J&K imbroglio.
However, the accolades Kashmiri kids are getting worldwide as Indians are positive signs that even the instigation of Pakistan is failing to cut much ice with ordinary Kashmiris. It’s time to hail the efforts of Tajamul and Hashim and look forward to many more glories in the days to come.
(With inputs from ANI)