Vilayat Hussain Malik, Kashmir based Canoe Slalom player, is in contention of making it to Indian team for Asian Games-2018 as he has been selected for the national camp being held at in Narmada river at Indore in Madhya Pradesh.
Vilayat, who is Chowkidar on casual basis in J&K State Sports Council joined the camp recently. The national camp for Canoe Slalom is being conducted by Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association under the aegis Sports Authority of India. In the camp around 15 selected players from different parts of country are taking part under the supervision of foreign coach Jimy Bercon. The camp is being held in preparation for the Asian Games-2018 that are scheduled to be held in Jakarta Palembang, Indonesia from August 18 to September 2.
Vilayat was selected for the camp on the basis of his recent performance in national championship in which he bagged silver and bronze medals in the wild water Canoe Slalom discipline which is Olympic discipline. He is known Canoe Slalom player of state and has previously bagged numerous national level medals in water sports.
“It is an honor to be part of the camp that is being conducted for the upcoming Asian Games. To get into camp was first step and now my target is to become a part of team India,” Vilayat said.
“This is top level camp and the coach has got lot of experience. There are new things to learn and I am trying my best to cope up. It is dream of every player to be part of Asian Games and then Olympics. I am hopeful of making to Asian Games and then it will be Olympics,” he said.
About the facilities and support he is getting back at home, he said, “I took up this sport because of the coach Bilquis Mir and she has been guiding me since then. Under her coaching I have been able to win number medals at national level and this camp is also part of the support”.
International water sport coach of Kashmir, Bilquis Mir termed Vilayat’s selection as big achievement for the state.
“Despite being multiple national medalist he is still a casual labor. But the lack of support from the Government has not deterred him from working hard and achieving his dreams. To get in national camp for Asian Games is big achievement that too in Olympic discipline like wild water Canoe Slalom,” she said.
“The camp is very tough and Vilayat now needs to work really hard during his stay. Narmada river is tricky and tides are bit high at times. To negotiate its pace and curves would be real test for the players during the camp. I hope Vilayat does well and makes it to Asian Games squad,” she said. ( Courtesy Greater Kashmir )