Taekwondo- The next big game

Rising Kashmir
Baba Umar
Srinagar, Dec 24


The 18-day coaching camp for the final selection of Taekwondo players who would represent the state in 22nd National Taekwondo Championship in Kolkata from December 27-30, today concluded here at the city’s Rangteng High School, Nawa Kadal.

The J&K Taekwondo Association organised the camp.

More than 50 boys and girls of different categories who participated in the coaching camp were instructed number of techniques by the Chief Instructor Abdul Qayoom Khan and instructor Ruksana Jabeen, a black belt.

Both the coaches expressed their optimism about the team’s performance.

“J&K was ranked 6th in the 21st championship and we hope this year we will make in the top two teams,” Chief Instructor Abdul Qayoom Khan said. “They (players) are well-equipped with the new techniques since they are talented.”

The selected players in the Sub-Junior group are, Sumera, Afreen, Mujtaba, Aqib, Ather, Mohasin, Arsalan and Sazim. In the Junior group, Junaid, Umar, Danish were selected. And in the senior group, Dr. Ishfaq and Muzaffar will be participating in the event.

In the First Dan Black belt category, Chief Instructor Abdul Qayoom Khan and instructor Ruksana Jabeen would be vying for the title.

Chief instructor while talking to media said, “last year 65 students participated in the National Taekwondo Championship and we brought home two gold, eight silver and 12 bronze medals.” This year, he said, “the students practiced all through the year and we are expecting much better performance than last year.”

Khan said there has been so far no help from Sports Council and they were not allowed to organise coaching camps in the city’s indoor stadium.

“Taekwondo is the indoor game but we are not allowed to organise such coaching camps in the indoor stadiums by the Indian army who have occupied the stadium.”

SmSing On Eid

Baba Umar
RISING KASHMIR
Srinagar, Dec 23

“Have a blessed day--Eid Mubarak.” This might have been the SMS text that felicitated you on this Eid, probably sent by one of your acquaintances. But was it enough?

“It would have been better to show up on Eid,” says a noted Kashmiri poet and social activist Zarief Ahmed Zarief. “If the person really intended to wish you, he should have joined you on this special occasion rather than drop SMS’.”

Visiting one’s relatives on the eve of Eid was the tradition followed with full fervor in Kashmir; however, many believe the induction of mobile phones in the valley has punctured this age old practice.

“Where a brotherly embrace on Eid was obligatory part of celebration and interpersonal contact a norm, SMS’, I guess, are widening the gaps,” he adds.

On the other hand, interpersonal communication has obtained a new meaning with technology opening up new channels of communication. SMSes on cell phones have become extremely popular modes of communication. Perhaps it's easier to text a ‘salaam’ over SMS rather than travel across town to greet a friend. But with so much of cell phone technology, the essence of interpersonal communication takes a back seat.

Dr Sabeha Mufti, a communication expert and lecturer in Media department of Kashmir University, says “Accepted SMS and email may be very easy, and it facilitates communication. But somehow, there is a failure of the personal touch as the people are not exchanging views face to face.”

Likewise, a Kashmiri software professional, Suhail Gulzar Wani, who is currently working in San Mateo CA, US, says in an e-mail interview, “I guess it takes you away form your relatives and friends. You think you have done you part by SMSing, but the reality is something else.”

Younger people of the valley seem to be more disposed towards modern gadgetry. They want to solve their problems within a jiffy. And here interpersonal communication becomes a tragedy, which otherwise, Zarief believe, is holistic.

“Face-to-face interpersonal communication is holistic, reliable and helps us comprehend the message completely.” says Zarief. “Using SMSes is good, but the days of Eid, people should try visit their relatives and friends rather than greet them via SMSes, provided they are not staying at longer distances.”

Sounds like an interesting opinion. But how many of us actually want that to take place next Eid?