Marouf Aijaz, a nine-year-old boy from Central Kashmir's Waterwani village of Budgam district has won gold medal in 10th National Pencak Silat Championship 2022-23 at Maharashtra in 30-35 Pre-Teen weight Category.
As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the event was held at Swami Ramanand Teerth Mahrashtra University, Maharashtra.
Marouf was avid to be a professional Cricketer. He was influenced by his uncle to participate in Pencak Silat Martial Arts.
"I was passionate about cricket, but given my abilities, my uncle introduced me to Pencak Silat Martial Arts," Marouf told KNO. "It was my maiden attempt at national level and thanks to Almighty I won the gold medal."
Marouf had been practising for the event for last eight months at Indoor Stadium Budgam. "Due to dearth of public transport, I had to travel 2 to 3 miles to reach stadium, every day," he said. “It is a self-defence art and one should learn it.”
He said: "I regularly practice from 3 pm to 5 p.m at the stadium that is four kilometres away from my home."
Marouf said that his mentor ‘Asif Sir’, trained him very nicely. “I am passionate to play Olympics to represent India at the International level to win Gold there,” he said.
Marouf has won multiple awards at district as well as Union Territory (UT) Level.
Initially, Marouf played at different school competitions followed by District and UT level, and finally it is Indoor Stadium Srinagar where he made his entry to enter Nationals.
"Every child has some or the other talent. The onus lies on the parents to identify the hidden talent from their children and allow them to play any sort of game they wish to play,” said Marouf’s maternal uncle Altaf Hussain, while talking to KNO. “My dream is to see my child playing Olympics and wining Gold for the Country."—(KNO)
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