With International adventure race Expedition India concluding amid much fanfare at Ladakh recently question have been asked about the status of lone much highlighted J&K team in the competition.
Upon enquiring to the utter shock it has been revealed that J&K team that comprised of four members failed to complete the event as they withdraw midway of the race.
While the Team Nevarest finished first on the Expedition India leaderboard J&K team were placed on last place with the tag withdrawn mentioned. In total J&K team participated in only for 11 hours and 27 competition time and has withdrawn after only three days of competition.
While first two competition days, one held in Srinagar and other were easy parts. The tough part started in Leh with paddling and cycling done on September 18. It was first tough day for JK team and the last one they did.
Even on the day when it was revealed that J&K has also fielded team with the name of J&K Mountaineering and Hiking Club in the competition, questions were asked about the involvement of players in it.
JKMHC is considered as top adventure club in Kashmir and has some of the toughest guys that sport has ever witnessed in State.
The JK team on first day comprised of Umer Nabi (Athlete and Cyclist), Hamid (athlete), Reyaz wani ( retired athlete) and Khursheed Ahmad (former athlete). While the first two are young energetic proven long distance runners and could have been part of any group the last two are retired and veteran athletes.
Reyaz Ahmad Wani has officially retired in year 2013 with JK Bank honoring him with Rupees 15000 as farewell gift. Khursheed has left athletic long back and has not been seen in action for more than 8 years now.
“It was obvious that this would turn out as mockery in the name of competition. While all the other teams involved some top level athletes JK team was just fielded for fun. This is shame for this former athlete who for meeting his selfish ends did not gave chance to some young athlete (player) to compete with such top level foreign players,” said Shabir Ahmad.
Another player who is part of JKMHC wishing anonymity said, “We in JKMHC have got some fine all-round adventurers who excel in cycling , running, rafting and even in swimming. However this lad who claim himself to be all-rounder used his influence without highlighting the participation of JK team prior to competition to get himself and his buddies in”.
“I came to know about JK team taking part in this event only on the day it was revealed at SKICC,” he added.
Former Athlete Gulzar Khan said that if being athlete was criteria then there were athletes like Umer of Budgam, Reyaz of police and Nisar of Ganderbal who could have been part of this team.
“They had just fielded this team for the fun. If for the not the position it should have atleast finished and made JK proud,” he said.
