Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Mar 14: The sport of Wushu is one of the prominent Martial Arts in the World. Though, it is the National Game of China, yet Jammu and Kashmir, has earned good name and fame in this sports discipline at the National and International scene. The quartet of Kuldeep Handoo, Chief Coach of India, and ace International players Rajinder Singh, Abhishek Jamwal and Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh, has, time and again, kept their State’s Flag high at the highest level. However, despite being the medal winning sports discipline in the State and priority sport in India, Wushu has yet to have standard infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. Players of the State in Rajinder Singh, Surya Bhanu Pratap Singh and Abhishek Jamwal and likes have secured big haul of medals at the International level. In spite of this fact, the budding Wushu players in Jammu arte bound to receive training from ace coaches of the State on tumpy, rough and bumpy surface in a small plot, adjacent to Indoor Complex, MA Stadium in Jammu.
The quartet of Kuldeep, Abhishek, Rajinder and Bhanu in an exclusive interview with EXCELSIOR talked about their achievements, infrastructure and the benefits of this National Sport of China to the budding sportspersons.
Excerpts:
Excelsior: What is this sport all about?
Rajinder: The sport of Wushu is a mixed Martial Art, rather an amalgamation of Boxing, Judo, Taekwondo and Kickboxing. This is the National sport of China and can be termed as the father of all Martial Arts.
Excelsior: Tell us briefly about your (including your companions) major achievements?
Abhishek: Me, Rajinder, Bhanu and Handoo (sir) have lot many achievements to our credit. I won silver in Mosco Stars Championship in Russia and bronze in Pars Cup in Iran, while Rajinder claimed bronze in 14th World Championship, silver in Asia Cup, besides bronze in 5th and 6th Pars Cup and Bhanu has the distinction of winning bronze in 13th and 14th World Championship, besides gold in SAF Games and Pars Cup. Moreover, it will take a lot of time to throw light on the achievements of Handoo (sir). He has been National Champion for 11 consecutive years and has been 7 time International medalist, besides having the honour of producing three Arjun Awardees in Y. Sanathoi, Bimoljit Singh and Sandhya Rani.
Excelsior: What are the benefits of this sport to the budding sportspersons?
Rajinder: Apart from the usual benefits of sports and games in keeping the athletes fit and healthy, Wushu helps the athletes to be self defensive. Moreover, it is a medal winning sports discipline in India and in our State too. So, it can be a best career option for young sportspersons.
Excelsior: Are the infrastructural facilities enough in J&K? And what you urgently need from the Govt?
Abhishek: There are hardly any infrastructural facilities available in Wushu in our State. The rough ground at MA Stadium, which has produced more than six International medalists is the only facility available in Jammu. We require Sanshou and Taolu arenas to be established by the Govt to make us blossom at the National and International scene. All the top Wushu athletes in the State have the potential to win medals at the International level. And those winning silver and bronze can convert them into gold if provided sufficient and standard infrastructural facilities by the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council.
Excelsior: Is the State Govt prioritizing medal winning sports disciplines?
Handoo: You know, Wushu is a medal winning sports discipline in India and in our State as well. And the Govt of India has categorized it in priority sport. But we have yet to see Wushu being given the status of priority sport in Jammu and Kashmir. There are immensely talented players in this sports discipline in our State. I was stunned to see a 20 kg category athlete from Kashmir displaying extraordinary skill during a State level Championship in Jammu and I firmly believe that the budding athlete will make it to the International level as soon as possible, because she possessed all that is required to sparkle at the highest level. Sharp reflexes, anticipation, guts and grit was a delight to watch. Such athletes need standard facilities to make the State to shine. Lack of infrastructure forces us to train budding players in open air, rather than indoors, otherwise, Wushu is an indoor game.
Excelsior: Who is your favourite sportsperson?
Rajinder: None other than Kuldeep Handoo. He is my inspiration. He brings in me energy and dynamism. I owe my success to him. He is a coach, a mentor to a perfection.
Excelsior: Players attribute success to Kuldeep Handoo (you). To whom you attribute their success?
Handoo: It is their magnanimity to attribute their success to me. They are themselves heroes and always have zeal and zest to learn. I attribute the success of these players to Wushu Association of J&K and the parents, especially to its office bearers Vijay Saraf and Ranjeet Kalra, who at times contribute from their own sources to help the players hone their skills. My mentor Vishal Sharma has always been the source of inspiration to me and guides and goads me in adverse conditions also.
Excelsior: Your message to young sportspersons?
Abhishek: I would like to tell them that sports serves for delight, for ornament and for agility. Participating in games and sports serves a twin purpose of making you fit and healthy and helping you not to derail from the mainstream and not to fell prey to social evils like drugs and other allied things. Sports and games also serve as a career option for outstanding players. So, participate more and more in sports activities for happy, healthy and prosperous life.
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