Srinagar, Jan 06 (KNO): A 19-year-old boy from South Kashmir's Shopian district has brought laurels to Jammu and Kashmir by bagging gold medal in Mixed Martial Art Championship held in Madya Pradesh.
Rizwan Riyaz, a resident of Shadab Karewa area in South Kashmir's Shopian district, who is pursuing bachelor's degree from Government Degree College Shopian wants to participate in mega international events.
Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Rizwan Riyaz said that he was happy to win the gold medal at the national level in martial arts and he will work hard as her dream is to reach to the international level.
He said that he was interested in martial arts since his childhood and started his journey in 9th class and has been giving training to interested youth.
He said that it was a great experience and exposure gain moment where I have learned several things 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,” he added.
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.
“I have started a small 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 and in order to teach the youth of Shopian district and keep them away from drugs, he has come up with a small academy where both boys and girls are getting training.
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)