Bilal Habib
TRAL, January 17: Firdous Ahmad Lone, a talented athlete from the Chhanktar area of Tral, has achieved national recognition in Yoga Asana by securing a top 10 rank in the All India Yoga Asana competition held in Karnataka. This feat also earned him selection for the 38th National Games 2025, scheduled to take place in Uttarakhand from January 30 to February 14.
Lone’s achievements in sports are impressive, with six gold medals in various competitions to his name. However, despite his dedication and accomplishments, he has voiced concerns about the lack of support from government departments apart from the Sports Council. He acknowledged the financial and logistical support provided by the Sports Council but highlighted the absence of assistance from other official bodies.
Talking to Kashmir Convener, Lone said is grateful for the support received from the Sports Council while other organisations have not supported him making it challenging to fully prepare for such prestigious competitions. Lone hopes that with additional backing from the administration, he will not only make his country proud but also elevate the name of Jammu and Kashmir on the national and International stages.
Lone expressed his gratitude to the Almighty, his family, and his coach for their unwavering support. “Recently, I participated in a Yoga Asana championship where I won a gold medal and was awarded the Best Player in Yoga Asana. Following this, we had selection trials in Srinagar, where I was chosen for the national championship in Karnataka. There, I secured a spot in the top 10 at the All India level and qualified for the 38th National Games,” Lone said.
He further extended his thanks to the Sports Council for their financial assistance and to Yoga Asana J&K coach Sajad Ahmad Dar for his guidance. However, Lone lamented the lack of support from the district administration, emphasizing that additional assistance would enable him to not only represent the country but also bring glory to Jammu and Kashmir at the national and international levels.
