- “Keep the spirit Kashmiris are not less than anyone in any field”
JAMMU: Being a girl from troubled Kashmir Valley and a dreamer from her childhood when she was just seven years old and wished to create history as a footballer, became victim of favouritism, lack of discipline among players, insufficient practice opportunities and at the top, lack of support from the concerned authorise thus all her dreams were shattered.
Though she never faced any problem or difficulty due to troubled situation in Kashmir Valley, yet she admitted that being a girl that too from Kashmir itself is a difficult to make people understand that there is nothing wrong to be in sports.
Qudsiya Altaf while talking to Editor-in-Chief of JK Monitor, Ajmer Alam Wani, recalled that when she was just seven years used to climb Zabarwan Mountain, which was the first sports activity she went for.
But sooner she got inspired by one of the most popular footballer of Kashmir Valley Ahmad Ishfaq whom she saw playing football at Polo Ground Srinagar before that she never saw football player in her city. Her passion for sports didn't stop here only, alongside football, she continued to get inspired by her younger sister and keep practicing Skiing.
No doubt, the dreams were big, high and firm to create some history in the upcoming football events but she lamented facing difficulties, problems and absence of support. “The most difficult problem I faced which became a reason I stopped playing football that time when I was on my peak to full fill my dream was favouritism, lack of discipline among players, lack of practice and lack of support from the concern authorities”, Qudsiya said adding that her dream to be an international player got shattered due to discouragement.
Qudsiya feel proud while saying that her family always supported her whether she was in football or Skiing. They were always by her side to encourage adding that thought she didn’t face any difficulty due to troubled situation in Kashmir Valley but admitted that the troubled situation has not only affected the grooming sports but the whole system in the valley.
She didn’t have support from any NGO, except providing her temporary football ground and few equipments by Secretary Sports Council, Waheed ur Rehman Parra / JKFA after completion of certificate course and it was her younger sister who was a constant source of inspiration for her as she too is also a sports person and has faced lot of difficulties but never give up and the result of patience and hard work paid her.
In her message to girls aspiring their career in sports, Qudsiya advised not to bother about what people around talks, “trust yourself and go for your dreams in a proper way so that your family will be the first to be proud on you, whatever you want to be in your life just work hard and full fill your dreams. Keep the spirit Kashmiris are not less than anyone in any field”.
While concluding she said that if proper guidance will b given, sports can keep the person away from all the ill habits like smoking , drinking etc which are now a days on its peak.