Tariq-led India U-18 men team leaves for 15th Asian Championship, Mahir to debut

Jammu/New Delhi, July 25: It is great moment of Volleyball Association of Jammu and Kashmir, Joint Secretary of Volleyball Association of J&K (VAJK), Mohd Tariq of Poonch District, a FIVB level-I coach, has been appointed Assistant Coach of the Indian Under-18 men team heading for 15th Asian Championship to be held in Bahrain from July 28 to August 4, 2024.
The appointment has been made by the adhoc committee of the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) considering the experience and contributions of Coach from J&K.
Consistent efforts for over three decades to train and guide the youngsters from J&K helped Tariq attract the attention of the senior officials of VFI, who upheld the recommendation from VAJK.
He is the same person, Mohd Tariq Khan, who has devoted both of his sons to the game thus producing two international spikers from his home town in the recent past.
Tariq’s younger son, Saqlain Tariq was first and only international spiker from J&K.
It was in the year 1986-87 when Tariq first took the coaching assignment working with the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS).
Later, he started an independent training facility for the beginners at Poonch in 1999.
A FIVB level-1 coach, Mohd Tariq was presented the Rangil Singh Award by the J&K Olympic Association (JKOA) in recognition of his services to the sports, especially in Volleyball.
It was under Tariq’s guidance that J&K first time qualified for the Khelo India and subsequently made it to the super eight stages in all age groups of under-14, under-17 and under-19 as coach of the DYSS.
For his devotion to the game, Tariq was included as Joint Secretary by the Volleyball Association of J&K (VAJK).
In the year 2003, Tariq set up Shaheed DySP Manjit Singh Memorial Volleyball Volleyball Club and became its chairman.
Then, Tariq never looked back and organised numerous events in Poonch and played an active part in activities held across J&K under the banner of VAJK.
Meanwhile, the VAJK thanked the adhoc committee of VFI, led by Rohit Rajpal (chairman) and Alankanda Ashok, member. The VAJK office bearers complimented Tariq on his appointment and Wani Mahir for his debut at international level and wished both of them best wishes for clinching the championship trophy for the country.
Wani Mahir of Srinagar District has been selected in the Indian Under-18 men team. Wani Mahir has also been trained at SAI centre in Jammu.
“Mahir’s dedication and hard work have brought immense pride to our training centre,” SAI Jammu officials said while congratulating him for representing the Indian team in the prestigious tournament at International level.
The Indian team left for the 15th Asian Championship to be held in Bahrain today at midnight from New Delhi.
In all, 16 teams are participating in the 15th Asian Championship wherein India will play against Korea, Kuwait and Pakistan in Pool D.