Clinch 3 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze; Duo to play in Khelo India

PAMPORE: Two cousins from the Pampore area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district shined in the 9th Ice Stock Sport Championship which was held at Gulmarg a couple of days ago.

Ansheera Mushtaq and her cousin brother, Zehran Ashiq, residents of Konibal, Pampore won 3 Gold medals, 2 Bronze medals and a Silver medal in the championship organised by J&K Ice Stock Association under the auspices of the Ice Stock Association of India.

The event is also being held in collaboration with Gulmarg Development Authority and sponsored by the Department of Tourism Kashmir.

Ansheera Mushtaq, daughter of Mushtaq Ahmad Khanday, won Gold and two Bronze medals, while Zehran Ashiq, son of Ashiq Ahmad Khanday, won two Gold medals and a Silver medal. Both are students of Birla Open Minds International School, Pampore.

“I saw my friends playing martial arts after which I got attracted towards the sport,” Ansheera told Kashmir Reader, adding that her parents supported her and encouraged her to take part in the competitions.

“After winning the Bronze at Penchak Silat in Polo Ground Srinagar, my parents were happy and asked me to continue,” she said, adding that she then played at the district and national level.

“I won bronze in Maharashtra recently,” she said, adding that she also participated in the Federation Cup in Goa where she won the Bronze medal.

Ansheera thanked her parents and the coach for supporting and training her. She also expressed gratitude to her school management. She now wants to play at the international level and Olympics.

Ansheera has been selected for the Khelo India games which will begin on Friday. “I want to spread the message that Khelo India is a good platform for youth to showcase their talent,” she said, appealing to parents to encourage their wards to take part in sports.

Talking to Kashmir Reader, Zehran Ashiq said he was attracted to the game after watching his sister playing. “I won a medal in the first game. Then I won 2 Gold and 1 Silver in Ice Stock,” he said, adding that he also won a Silver in Maharashtra.

Zehran also will be playing in Khelo India where there are many games. He said that sports makes one stress-free. He appealed to the youth to take part in games for physical fitness and to experience the joy of playing.

Khelo India is a great platform launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said. He appealed to the youth to take benefit of this platform so that they can show their talent.

The parents of Ansheera and Zehran are happy with the performance of their kids and resolved to support them in achieving their goals.

BILAL HABIB