Valley News Desk

Says in absence of infrastructure, dreams of hundreds of youth are getting shattered

Jahangeer Ganaie

Jammu, Oct 29 (KNO): A youth from a remote village of Ramban district of Jammu and Kashmir has not made his parents but entire UT proud as he is set to make his debut in the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), after a struggle of many years.

Arif Saleem Bohru (24), popularly known as Badshah Khan, a resident of Neel village in Banihal belt of Ramban is getting trained at the Khali’s Wresting academy Jalandhar. Khan’s height is 6 feet 2 inches, chest 48 inches, Biceps 18 inches and weight 105 kgs.

Speaking exclusively to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Khan said that since his childhood days he was interested in Wrestling, however, the lack of scope and infrastructure forced him to go outside J&K and get training there.

“After crossing my 12th examination, I joined an academy to get training. Since then, I participated in various state and national level championships and have won several matches and I am happy that I will get a chance to showcase my talent in World Wrestling entertainment in coming months,” Khan beamed.

He said that his dream is to become the world’s top wrestler and this dream never lets me sleep, he said, adding that I am also getting training from world’s top wrestlers like Krish master.

He said that the nature of wrestlers in and outside the ring is very different as inside the ring every wrestler looks angry, however, outside the ring they are very cool.

“I just got convinced towards wrestling while watching it on TV when I was in KG class,” he said, adding that “I am thankful to my parents who have supported me always and helped me in becoming the first wrestler of J&K.”

He said that he believes that to achieve any goal in life, one has to face a lot of complications. “However, if you show consistency and work hard, you will definitely achieve your goal,” he said, adding “There is no one to promote this talent in our society as nobody knows anything about wrestling but I am hopeful that after chance in WWE, I will teach more and more youth of J&K who have craze of wrestling.”

He said that dreams of hundreds of youth from J&K are getting shattered as they are very much interested in Wrestling but there is a lack of any infrastructure which is forcing them to choose other paths.

“I request people of J&K to promote wrestling along with other sports, as it will also help us to keep our future generation free from drugs,” he said. “My message to the youth of J&K will be work in union so that we can provide platform to everyone who wants to show his talent in any sports, he said, adding that your every dream can come true if you are determined and there is will power with you”—(KNO)