RAIPUR, Mar 31
LADAKH is admired for its beauty and snow-clad mountains. But for archery coach Feroz Ali Khan the ‘newly carved’ Union Territory of India will soon be known for its sportspersons and Olympian archers.
Khan, who himself is a national level archer, is in Raipur with a contingent of six archers participating in the first Khelo India Tribal Games.
Taking his time out during the compound archery competition at Sardar Patel International Hockey Stadium Complex, Khan exuded confidence that the day is not far when archers from the hilly region of the country start producing internationally acclaimed archers and even Olympians.
“There is no dearth of sporting talent in Ladakh. The only thing is promotion of sport is a bit slow. But with the Narendra Modi Government carving out a Union Territory (in 2019), sports and archery in particular is getting due recognition. The day is not far when these milky mountains will shine with Olympian archers,” Khan confidently says while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ on Tuesday.
“Archery is a traditional sport in Ladakh. It is in our blood. The best part of Ladakh is that parents themselves take interest in their wards to take up sports. They bring their kids without fail to our academy for training, that too from far flung hilly areas,” mentions Khan, who is a member of Ladakh Archery Association.
“Our archers are performing well in age group events at NTPC nationals. They are finishing in the top six brackets on a regular basis. Earlier, the journey was long, from district to state and then nationals. Now, they (archers) get a chance to show their talent directly in national level meets.
“Though the government is promoting the sport, I think we should get top quality equipment at national meets. Archery equipment is very costly. At present we have basic equipment,” Khan says, adding that “good coaches and infrastructure is need of the hour.”
With the snow covering the mountains for more than six months, it’s difficult to practice but still the Ladakhis make no excuses. “The archers train in minus temperatures. It is not easy to maintain focus and take aim at the target. You can understand how difficult it is to train in bone chilling weather. But tournaments (organised by clubs) take place in winter only and the participation is tremendous,” 43-year-old Khan proudly narrates.
Khan is a true sports promoter. He runs a club -- Downhill Kargil Club which gives training in archery, ice hockey, roller skating and cycling (MTB). “The club gives more preference to women. In the prestigious annual LG Cup our girls have been winning the championship for the last two years. So there is no gender bias,” Khan signs off.
0----------------------0
Suraj, shining amidst gloomy days
By Paritosh Pramanik
RAIPUR, Mar 31
TRIBAL athletes show a different kind of will to excel and fight till the end to emerge victorious.
Like most of the ‘adivasis’, Maharashtra’s long distance runner Suraj Mashi too is a story of grit, determination, sorrow, combined with few successes.
Hailing from Mokhada Taluka in Palghar, Suraj brought a different kind of energy in a family of four sisters. But his formative years compelled him to share the burden of the family of five.
With no other option, Suraj, who bagged silver in 5000m in the ongoing Khelo India Tribal Games, has to support his family financially, even as he has to foot his training bills…all in meager prize money of Rs 3000-5000 and sometimes even less.
“I dream of representing the country one day. I shifted to Nashik to study and to pursue my dream of running for the nation.
“But here the coaching fee is Rs 4000 per month. I can’t afford it. Plus I have to pay my room rent.
Hence I try to win as many races as I can in Maharashtra and Gujarat.
“I can’t afford a personal coach but when I feel like seeking some advice I reach out to my seniors,” said Suraj, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’.
Suraj , who belongs to the Warli tribe, suffered a jolt at an early age when his mother got bed-ridden after slipping in their house and the responsibility of his sisters came on his shoulders.
“I try to participate in competitions to make a living. I run cross-country races, other competitions where I manage to earn around Rs 3000 to Rs 5000,every month.
“I send some amount to my father (a labourer) and also pay for my education, training,” said 18-year-old Suraj.
Suraj feels that the Khelo India Tribal Games is a good initiative from the government but adds that if financial aid is also given then it would be more beneficial.
“If the winners get some financial assistance it would do them a world of good,” he concluded.
No comments:
Post a Comment