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Srinagar, 31 July: A resident of Kulhama hamlet of North Kashmir’s Bandipora District, Muzzafar has been running many Ju-Jitsu Clubs across J&K including Ju-Jitsu club Bandipora for about the last 15 years which has a registration of more than 250 players presently.
Muzzafar was vehemently criticized by his kiths and kins for choosing to be Jiu-Jitsu coach and not been able to work hard enough to secure a government job back in his village Kulhama, but this didn’t deter him from following his dream to provide training to the enthusiastic youth of valley.
He learned the basics of martial arts by watching some seniors practicing in a local school ground and finally enrolled in a local martial arts academy of Bandipora. Joining the academy was pinnacle of his destiny. After learning the Martial Arts he started practicing on own but was without a place, or equipment. The marshy lands of his village welcomed him with open arms. He found solace in nature. Practicing his skill with trees, stones and water amused the children who out of curiosity joined him in his practice. His mission stared, the mission to equip his students with confidence and power so that they can live without any hesitation and fear. He started his long journey without knowing his destiny. He was severely bullied by the peers for choosing alien profession as the society including his family members expected him to sell fish or sand for hard cash. He never bothered and continued his tryst with his passion.
Muzzafar, despite himself being economically weak, carries a very generous heart. Though he has no means to make both ends meet, he still provides free of cost coaching to the young and zealous youth coming from different areas of Bandipora to bring fore their hidden talent.
“The dreams I had set for myself but couldn’t fulfil due to a lot of hurdles, I want my students to fulfil for me. I provide free training to Ju-Jitsu enthusiasts coming from humble backgrounds, because I don’t want their poverty to come into their way in pursuit of their dreams like me.” Muzzafar said.
He continuously gained momentum and after each day his group started increasing. Now girls joined including the current martial arts sensation Sabakat Malik. Joining girls worried him as he was still practicing in open. He approached everybody for providing a room for girl students but in vain. Finally a gullible person Ab. Rashid Wani provided space for martial Arts training especially for girls. He continued for several months before moving to his current place of practice HSS Nadihal as the number of students become bigger. In HSS Nadihal he was pressurized to abandon this empowerment of women by those who were otherwise mandated with promotion of sports. He was constantly taunted by the gamblers, anti social elements which made Muzaffer determined to continue his coaching as he was sure to produce the world class athletes from this open ground.
he was and is still a labour who know fully that parents could not bear training fee. He honed his skills by continuously participating in national martial competitions as a player and as a coach. He took part in Coaching course in 2017 organised by KFI India, acted as official in 12th J&K State Wushu championship in 2015, National Martial Arts Games in 2017 as referee in 5th National referee course and as a player he secured 3rd position in 1st J&K Sanda Cup(Wushu) in 2013.
Born a social worker and reformer he volunteered to lead the team which was sent to Srinagar by District Bandipora for rescue operations on directions of then Dc Bandipora Dr. Shah Faisal during 2014 floods which wrecked the whole Kashmir. He spent seven days in Srinagar for rescuing people and almost 350 people were rescued by him by providing his skills of driving boats besides providing ration to stranded people. His remarkable operation was to rescue the children of a local Darsgah of Bemina but alas! he was denied recognition as he was from fishermen community and was nobody in power corridors.
He continued with his social service and again called by the District Administration Bandipora during 2019 Covid pandemic for providing relief to the needy people. Without bothering his own health he reached to hundreds of families in far-flung areas of Bandipora with ration kits and other relief, again his services were not recognized at any governmental level.
Keeping his moral high even though he was betrayed by the people belonging to the power corridors’ he continued his role as coach of Martial Arts but with a firm focus on girls training. He had mentored hundreds of martial Arts players and believes that even if one of his training could be able to save a girl from molestation and keep a boys away from bad habits like drug addiction and other anti social activity then his training would be successful. He is holding the post of General Secretary of Bandipora Jujitsu Association. He is here to create more sports medalists from Bandipora. So far under his coaching and guidance he had produced scores of national players in various Martial Arts like Kick Boxing, Karate, Thi Boxing and many more. Some of his proud students who had proved their mettle at international level are Hashim Manzoor Asian karate Kid, Fatiqa Manzoor International Athlete, Obaid Naseer International Martial Artist and recently Sabakat Malik who participated in Asian Jujutsu championship held at Thailand where She qualified for World Championship which is going to be held at Mongolia to represent her country India.
Recently he lead a strong contingent from Bandipora to Participate in National Martial Arts competition in Jujitsu which is recognized by Ministry of Youth affairs and Sports Govt. of India where they again bagged 6 gold medals and many silver and bronze thus sealing his authority over martial Arts. In his journey from nothing to stardom his wife continuously supported him. She sacrificed a lot for Muzaffar to reach this position by making him focus on the development of his students rather than to handle the domestic responsibilities. She turned to be inspiration to other women of her locality as she herself is a sports women. Muzffar is continuously trying his best to shape the destiny of his students without getting a penny which made him unique in this materialistic world.
Coaches, teams and individuals who work hard, put blood and sweat to represent their country at international level should not be discouraged. Sports should be given due importance by both parents and teachers. People should understand that indulging in sports is essential for a child’s physical and mental well-being,”he said
He said that there should be more social acceptance and opportunities for people who want to participate and make a career in sports.
