Bandipora, Dec 19: Receiving yet another accolade, Faisal Ali Dar, an Indian martial arts coach from north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, has been conferred with the National Martial Arts Award 2022 for his efforts in proliferating martial arts in Jammu & Kashmir.
Hailing from the Bagh area of Bandipora, Faisal is the first person to be conferred with the Padma Shri award in sports from Jammu & Kashmir. This award was for his efforts in fostering sports through martial arts as well as his endeavors in keeping the youth away from drugs.
Faisal was honored with the National Martial Arts Award 2022 at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi for his “extraordinary commitment” to sports in Jammu & Kashmir.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, Faisal said his hard work has finally paid off and he is delighted to be able to offer something he never had for himself.
“When I was coaching for kickboxing, I would use nylon slippers to punch with other kids because I couldn’t afford the punchers. I desired a trainer and the proper equipment which I was unable to purchase, but I am pleased that I am now able to coach others which I could not do for myself,” he said.
Faisal’s tale is an inspiring demonstration of hard work, commitment, and sacrifice. He began with Wushu and then shifted to Kickboxing in 2008. In 2010, he clinched a Silver medal in the Asian Kickboxing tournament.
Faisal said his attempt to attract youths to the sport initially did not get much attention as people thought it was a waste of time.
Faisal said he had taken part in four nationals, winning two Gold medals and one Silver medal before retiring in 2013 so as to dedicate himself to training youths in his Ali Sports Academy, named in honor of his late grandfather.
“In the academy, there are 17,000 students enrolled in 17 units, with more than eighteen of them having participated in international events,” he said.
Faisal said his academy provides coaching with an annual fee of Rs 50 and is based across eight territories of J&K. “I strongly believe that with sufficient training and physical fitness, the athletes from J&K could soon be winning Olympic medals,” he said.
