Shopian youth bags gold medal in 7th South Asian international Sqay Championship
Have been selected for Asian Championship, says Faizan Ayoub
Shopian: A 19-year-old boy from south Kashmir’s Shopian district has brought laurels to Jammu and Kashmir by bagging gold medal in 7th international South Asian Sqay Championship 2023 held in Kirtipora from 3-5 February.
Faizan Ayoub Khan, a resident of Pinjoora village in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, who is pursuing BPE in Nagpur has been selected for Asian Sqay Championship.
Faizan Ayoub said that he was happy to win the gold medal at the national level in martial arts once again as it gives him more confidence to perform at the international level as well.
“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 and has been even involved in providing training to youth who are interested to learn martial arts.
He said that it was a great experience and exposure to learn several things and he 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.
“So far I have won four gold medals at international level and these tournaments were played in Nepal, Bhutan and Thailan,” he said, adding that he has won 30 gold medals at national level and has been a grand Champion trophy winner five times as well.
Faizan said that authorities have named a cricket stadium at Lanthoora Shopian after him for his wonderful achievements and it has been named as Faizan Ayoub Sports Stadium Lanthoora.
For winning gold medals at national level for consecutive years, the Sqay Federation of India has given me a title of “Tiger of India”, he said beamingly.
He said that to stay away from drug and anti-social activities, there is a need to get involved in sports and martial arts.
“Engaging in sports activities is must for mental and physical development,” he added.
He said that the youth in JK are very much talented and there is need to provide them platforms and support so that they won’t face any problem in reaching to mega stages and perform well there.
Jahangeer Ganaie
