Adil Akhoon
Srinagar: Zakariya Yaseen, from Bemina (Srinagar) has started playing Thang Ta in 2009 when he was in Class First. This 14 year old boy has been given State award (given for the excellence in particular field). Zakariya got inspired from his uncle who was football player. “I got inspired from him and started my sports journey”, he said. Zakariya has played two international matches in 2013 both held in Korea and two Asian. He has also bagged two gold and one silver medals in Federation cup and played numerous nationals during initial stage.
Zakariya is practising with his coach and mentor in indoor stadium during evening sessions. His coach has taught him how to be focused in game and committed with goals. “My coach and sports council has important role in shaping up my skills and in making me disciplined sportsperson. Sports Council always pampers players and provides equipment and support whenever we need” he said.
Focusing on studies and practising Thang Ta at the same time, was challenge for Zakariya. To keep balance and hold on sports and studies, Zakariya has scheduled timetable to keep going things smoothly. After School hours without any rest, his practising sessions gets started till late evening. “Self-study and my mother’s help in studies, keeps me focused on studies”, he said. While talking about struggle, he recalls one incident that is still in his mind, “I remember I was playing federation cup, but at the same time my examinations were going on. There was lot of pressure on me, but sports person have to face challenges and cope up. During the federation cup I had kept with me study material and immediately after playing match, my routine was self-study”.
The sportsperson has to take care of fitness and Zakariya has kept himself fit from the beginning. “We have to take care of our diet, because diet is as important as our practice. I do not eat same as normal person, you cannot eat everything if you are taking sports seriously. To be something in your life, you have to make sacrifices” he said.
Zakariya goal is to inspire others and be inspiration for others, who really want to do something great in their life. “If we are focusing on studies, we should also focus on sports. We should not make our priority studies only but sports also. If we are giving lot of time to studies, we should also free our time for sports also. There are equal opportunities in both sports and studies” Zakariya’s message to youth.
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