Throughout the day,in that section of the stands at the Talkatora boxing stadium where the boxers are seated,there is one who is not in the boxing gear. It doesnt mean that he is not taking the event seriously in fact,of all the boxers present,he probably has taken the most risk to be there. Hilal Ahmed,the lone Kashmiri boxer at the senior Nationals in the capital,has managed to make the event despite the tense situation in the Valley and the CRPF curfew. And while he forfeited his 52kg category bout on Sunday for being overweight,making an appearance here itself has been remarkable. The 21-year-old Hilal took up boxing just over a year ago after his realised his sport,kickboxing,wasnt internationally recognised. And since both sports are quite similar,Hilal says,the transition wasnt difficult. Like most,he too was inspired by a hero. Ever since I saw Vijender win the medal at the Beijing Olympics,I too felt that desire to play, Hilal told Sportline. Lack of facilities in Srinagar was a big hurdle,however. The city does have a federation but no rings,not even a coach. What hurts me is the apathy of the boxing federation in Srinagar. When I asked for a coach they said no. When I asked them if I could at least practice at the Bakshi stadium after studies in the evening,they said no and told me to get lost, he said. No sparring partnerWithout a sparring partner,Hilal decided to go solo. I think Im the only one in Srinagar who boxes. For several months I would shadow box. When I got selected for the Nationals in Hyderabad last year,it was at a state camp in Jammu that I learnt the rules. That 15-day camp in Jammu is the only practice with a coach Hilal has ever had. But the lack of infrastructure in not the only hurdle for a sportsman in the Valley. After violence intensified in Kashmir recently,Hilals practice stopped and he was stuck at home. The J&K trials were in Jammu on July 7 but streets were deserted due to the curfew. A day after three people were killed in firing,Hilal hit the road early in the morning. My parents did not stop me,they knew that I wanted to do it. They only wished Allah Hafiz. I got lucky,and got a ride to Jammu. After a physically draining journey,Hilal arrived in Jammu in the evening. Luckily,his fights were rescheduled for the next day,July 8,and Hilal beat four boxers to qualify for the state squad. Disappointing endHis journey to Delhi,however,had a disappointing end. The two weeks of little practice saw him putting on 3kg weight which resulted in his disqualification. Nonetheless,Hilal says,the tournament has been a learning experience. I learn so much when I see the senior players box. I need to make the most of whatever opportunity I get. I want to play in the Olympics. I believe I can represent India. But I know it is difficult. He has another option in his mind,just in case. By participating in the nationals,Hilal hopes to get a certificate that will help him when he applies for the National Institute of Sports coaching programme. I want to be able to coach the next group of children coming up. Im sure Kashmir can also produce good boxers. We have the build and the drive,we only need the opportunity.
