Srinagar: A day after clinching third place in the prestigious Chandigarh Cyclothon cycle race, Kashmir’s top cyclist Mohammad Akber Khan of TCI Max has come out heavily against his detractors.
Akber Khan while talking to Kashmir Sports Watch said that he was upset after seeing and learning about the behavior of his senior cyclists who according to him are jealous with his success.
“I hope my performance in Cyclothon would make my detractors back home silent. I want my performance to answer their nonsense,” he said.
“While I am training in GNDU, Punjab there is lot going on in cycling arena of Kashmir. There is some former ‘failed’ cyclists lead by Reyaz Wani who are trying to create divide among cyclists of the Kashmir,” he said.
“This person Reyaz Wani who claims to be former cyclist and Cycling Association official is known for the corrupt practices and himself has not even finished single event in national arena. Leave aside winning medal he is has never finished among top 10,” Akber said.
The top cyclist of the State said that he was deeply hurt when he learnt about this former cyclists activity back home in lieu with other players.
“I respect this person, Reyaz Wani a lot. He is my senior player and during my initial days I learned lot from him. However, since the time I started winning at national level and went to represent India at International his behavior has changed totally. I don’t know why as I don’t compete against him as he is retired player now. However, what I have come to know has made me upset,” Khan said.
Akber said that this former player recently went to his (Akber’s) village in Narbal wherein he has been grooming players from last many years and tried to create divide among cyclists.
“In the recent national championship I missed to win consecutive 3rd national gold medal while as my juniors emerged as winner and second runner up. He (Reyaz) went to my Village and met these two players and told them various things. He even expressed his joy over my missing the medal. I am happy for Adil Teli and Mansoor for making Kashmir proud but the elements like Reyaz are trying to get advantage of this situation,” he said.
“I have been his student and always obeyed his instructions. However, I think jealousy has brought out real persons out of him. He is now showing his real traits. My suggestion to him is that he should first introspect about his own achievements then enjoy my failure and try to create among cycling fraternity of Kashmir,” he said.
Akber is only national double gold medalist of state. He is the only cyclist to win two All India Inter-University gold medals. He is also the only cyclist from State to represent India. On Sunday he finished third Chandigarh and also bagged rupees 45,000 cash reward.
Meanwhile Reyaz Wani is former cyclist who went on to perform dual role of Joint secretary Kashmir J&KJ Amateur Cycling Association and a player before being ousted from the Association. He was ousted from Cycling Association for creating parallel Cycling Association in Kashmir.
Akber said that there is also one cycling coach from valley who is also not happy with his success and he also every now and then make various comments against him.
“There is also this cycling coach from Kashmir who over the years has failed to produce single cyclist in Kashmir. All these years I did his work by grooming youngsters. Now with me performing well at National arena he is feeling jealous,” Akber said.
Akber meanwhile thanked his supporters, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Director TCI Max Waseem Trumboo and JKSDA President Bashir Ahmad Malik.
” Without their support i would never have achieved nothing,” he said (KSW Network)