Srinagar, June 13 (Agency) “I have a dream. I want to wear the Indian colours and participate in the Olympics for my country,” says Khelo India Youth Games Cycling gold medalist from Jammu and Kashmir, Adil Altaf. “My dream is to wear the Indian jersey…. where people will see India written on my back and where I see myself representing the country in Asian championship or Olympics,” the 22-year-old told UNI. Adil became the first cyclist to win a gold medal for Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday in Panchkula in Haryana during the Khelo India Youth Games.Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Maonj Sinha congratulated Adil Altaf for this historic feat and a new record at the Games.” I am dedicating my gold medal to my parents…my Mother, Father, my School and my sponsors State Bank of India,” said Adil, who belongs to a poor family and whose father, Shah Altaf Hussain, is a tailor master.They are the residents of Lal Bazar area in downtown Srinagar. Adil started cycling in 2018 at the age of 18 while studying in Kashmir Harvard School in Class 12.
He said that right from his childhood he has had this passion for cycling. He said: “A 10-km cycle race was organized by my school and I came third and won the Bronze. “That Bronze I won using my brother’s normal cycle and it encouraged me,” he said and added “the person who won the gold was being trained in a camp that I came to know later on”. He said his PT teacher, Ashiq Hussain Bhat later imparted him basic training in cycling and gradually he gained more confidence.However, there was steep financial crisis at home and despite his father purchasing a new bicycle for Rs 6,000 after noting his passion there was much that needed to be tackled. “Actually the money was meant for the school fee. But seeing my devotion and passion for cycling, my father encouraged me by presenting the new bicycle despite Covid-19 restrictions,” Adil said.He described how while practicing he had a crash in which one of my teeth broke and also suffered head injuries. He lost a lot of blood and was admitted to Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS) Soura Srinagar for some time. After a month, Adil was back practicing, although his cycle also suffered damaged.
“Due to financial constraints it was difficult for me to afford the best nutrition and I added eggs to my diet from time to time to keep myself physically fit,” he said.He said: “One of my close friends, Zamin Mirza, and his father helped me after seeing my cycling passion. Zamin’s father presented me a bicycle worth Rs 25,000… I was overjoyed.” The Police Department conducted a cycle race in Srinagar in 2020. The prize money was Rs 25,000 and Adil won.“My school also supported me and encouraged me and they also provided a financial prize of Rs 25,000 for winning the Police Race,” he said.Soon Adil managed to collect “about Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000 and purchased a standard Carbon cycle bike for myself”. After his Police Race feat, he said, “I was sponsored by the State Bank of India (SBI) and they gave me a cycle worth Rs 4.5 lakh and due to that cycle I am today where I am. Because of all those help in the past and then this sponsorship I won the gold in Khelo India Youth Games.”He said in four months there will be Nationals, followed by Asian Cycling championship. It is Adil’s dream participate in the trials.He said: “Last November I came 4th in Kurukshetra at Nationals. I was very disappointed but I waited and did not lose my cool. The race made me emotional and at times I was in tears.””Those who won in Kurukshetra were no where near me in the Khelo India Youth Games Championship at Panchkula.”
“I’m passionate about winning medals for the country. There were no medals for me despite hard work for the past three years. I worked hard at Patiala Punjab for the past six months, so now I have this,” Adil said.He said: “I worked hard and the authorities provided all facilities, including my diet, since I was among the top 10 players I was selected for the training”. “I want to do something for my parents. I want to see them rich. Winning accolades in my cycling career, I one day want to make my parents forget the days of our poverty,” he added.