Sahar Majeed BANIHAL, July 4: "Practice makes a man perfect" is an old saying.
Those born talented achieve success with continuous dedication and hard work.
Mohammad Saud Bhat has proved his mettle despite hailing from a small town.
Born on February 1, 1993 in a small town of Banihal, about 150kms from Srinagar city, he never knew that one day the whole of Banihal town will be proud of his glorious achievements.
Being from the most reputed and well educated family of Banihal, since childhood he was advised only to study hard.
Banihal being a neglected place or rather an unexplored one, there are only a limited number of schools providing quality education.
Under these circumstances, Saud like other children of his age group, studied at a local private school, wherein there was no scope for extra curricular activities.
Most active of all other siblings, from the very beginning, Saud had a flair for sports and other outdoor activities.
Starting at school level and playing upto international level has been a long and tiresome journey.
The place where cricket is the only centre of attraction for sports lovers, he has successfully carved a niche for himself by giving exposure to Kick- Boxing and Taekwondo.
After winning more than 20 medals (including gold, silver and bronze) at various national level events held at Kolkatta, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu and Bangalore, he was the only one selected from J&K for international Kick boxing championship, which was held at Malaysia in 2007.
He clinched the title after defeating his Chinese counterpart in the final and returned home, winning a gold medal.
"Few years back, only a few people knew about Kick- boxing and Taekwondo but now the trend is changing and more and more people are getting interested in it.
I started regular practice when I was in third standard.
My coaches Aijaz Rasool, Mudassir Naqshbandi and Atul Pangotra helped me to achieve whatever I wanted.
Whenever I win a medal I feel happy that I have made my family and people of Banihal proud," said Saud candidly.
Reacting to the achievements of his student, Aijaz Rasool said, "Every sport requires a lot of dedication and hardworking.
Besides motivation is another important thing.
In the beginning I had to modify some of his skills and actions as the current age is scientific one and one needs to understand them.
But he had the potential to do things rightly." But his father, like most of the parents, wants him to excel in academics.
"No doubt he has made the entire region proud but I do wish that he concentrates more on studies as this is the crucial time to make his future," said Dr Anwar Bhat, father of Saud.
Asked about his future tours regarding the sport, an otherwise shy Saud replied, "At present I am preparing for my board examinations.
Once they are over, I will again return to my passion of Kick boxing and Taekwondo." About us | Advertise | Other Publications | Subscriptions | Weather | Letters | Send Mail Disclaimer: Information is being made available at this site purely as a measure of public facilitation.
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