Thursday: In North Kashmir’s Handwara girls are learning Budokon karate along with boys. They have earned gold medals in National competition too but decry official apathy towards ‘girls learning self defence’.
“We can do much better and achieve more feats than boys,” says Mehreen Naseer, herself a gold medalist.
Mehreen and Nargis Jaan won Gold while Zeenat Rashid took silver medal. Along with the trio Arsalan Rashid and Abu Zarar won Silver.
The group were part of a team from Budokon Karate Association Jammu and Kashmir, representing J&K at Sawarna Bharati National championship.
The championship was held at AC Indore stadium Vushakapatnam.
According to Nargis Jaan, a student at BKAJK since she was studying in 2nd standard and now a class 11 student, they have been practicing under open sky and in rented buildings.
“I loved Budokon and there was no stopping. Learning self defence was important but we were not deterred by not having proper instruments and Matt’s,” Nargis explains.
Nargis however complains that ‘girls learning karate should have been appreciated and helped by government’
“Every girl learning self defence must have been encouraged and supported but no government body except district police handwara came forward to help. Government bodies should have come to aid and fund us,” Nargis says.
Budokon Karate Association Jammu and Kashmir was formed in 2008 by karate master Fasil Nazir, black belt master, lives in Palpora area of handwara. Fasil is also World Sports Karate Fedration, licenced international coach.
Nazir began training young boys and girls in open fields and rented buildings. Number of students swelled.
“In district Kupwara 2000 students are being trained. They come from far flung areas Tangdhar, Machil, lolab, Teethwal Kalaroose,” Nazir claimed.
According to Nazir in Handwara about 500 students are being trained, but they have to practice in groups ‘due to the unavailability of accommodation’.
“We are functioning from rented building aided by Handwara SSP since long. SSP honorary chairman of the association,” Nazir told INS.
Nazir seconds students who want government to step in and fund them so to get better training and ‘achieve feats in game’.
“Government is turning deaf ears towards the aspirants, towards girls who want to learn self defence,” Nazir complained.
According to Nazir, his association has won more than 100 medals including gold at national level and 4-5 at international level and claimed that ‘student junaid ul islam played against Brazil’.
“He won silver in that game but gave us a push that we can do better at global platforms,” Nazir claimed.
Nazir however says that during year 2017, Nazir trained thousands of girls from different schools in district Kupwara after he was provided a contract by Education department to train girls.
“We want to represent our country at international level but lack of funds and sponsorship is hampering our work,” Nazir said.
In April this year his association is going to organize a state level championship in South Kashmir’s Shopian town.
“It will be our own money. We urge Government to intervene and sports minister should come forward, personally look into all we do,” Nazir said.
