Handwara, Jan 11 (KNO): Aimed at growing sports culture among youth in the valley, Multipurpose indoor sports hall at Handwara in Kupwara district is helping aspiring athletes train there and realize their dreams.
The Sports Hall at Handwara was inaugurated by Lieutenant GovernoManoj Sinha last year.
Talking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), athletes practicing there said that they are very happy and thrilled to avail the facilities saying that the competent coaching staff and other required times have also been ensured at the sports hall enabling them to practice to a greater extent.
Kabaddi, Wushu, Taekwondo, and other sports are practiced there and some sports are expected to begin very soon.
Sahil Ahmad, one of the Wushu practicing athletes said that since the facility was inaugurated, they had to go to Kulangam to practice under open sky.
"It was very difficult to undertake all the practice moves. Since we have shifted to this multipurpose indoor sports hall, things have become very convenient for everyone and each of us can give the best to the game," he said.
Another Wushu player of Handwara said that they are happy with the practice space given they used to face immense challenges practicing under open sky earlier.
“All the required facilities are available here. We can practice for every game which is very encouraging for all."
Aijaz Hassan, Wushu coach appointed there said that he is deployed there as a part of the Khelo India scheme given no coaches were available here before and there were no such facilities available.
He said that there are 100 Khelo India facilities available in J&K which is encouraging for aspiring athletes.
"I train about 200 students each day in 3 different shifts. Students from Lolab, Kupwara, and different parts of Handwara are availing the facility to practice. All the required equipment is available for players," he said.
Aijaz said that the players trained there have been taking part in the national games and achieving encouraging results. "5 girls who recently were part of Khelo India games won medals."
Nahida Nabi, a kabbadi coach, said that athletes training there are now taking part in national events in different parts of the country. “Some of our Kabaddi players are already attending a camp at Jammu and hopefully few of them will take part in the upcoming national event.”—(KNO)