Pulwama, Feb 14 (KNO): A 17-year-old boy from Pulwama has brought laurels to Jammu and Kashmir by bagging gold medal in 7th International South Asian Sqay Championship 2023 at Kirtipora from February 3-5.
Riyaan Rouf son of Rouf Ahmad Mir of Pampore in has been selected for Asian Sqay Championship.
He told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that he is happy to have bagged the gold medal in martial arts once again as it gives him more confidence to perform well in thr upcoming events.
“Recently I won a gold medal in 23rd National Sqay Championship held in Jammu where I was selected for South Asian Champion and after bagging a gold medal there I have been selected for Asian Sqay Championship,” he said.
He said that he was interested in martial arts since his childhood and started his journey when he was just 13 year old.
He said he has bagged eight gold medals at national level in different tournaments.
For winning gold medals at national level for consecutive years, the Sqay Federation of India has given him title "Champion of Champions"
According to Rouf, J&K now lacks infrastructure and only small stadiums for cricket exist here.
“Neither there is any infrastructure nor we get any financial support from the administration. Even we have to buy equipment that are required ourselves,” he said while requesting government to provide platform to the youth of J&K so that youth can be engaged in sports activities.
He said that youth are very much talented and they need platform to show their skills—(KNO)