From snowboarding on the slopes of Gulmarg to changing into the one Indian thus far to qualify for the Beijing Winter Olympics this 12 months, 31-year-old Arif Khan absolutely has nice potential and should assist India win a medal on the video games.
The skier from Gulmarg, Kashmir will head to Beijing, China in February 2022 for participating within the video games.
Arif Khan was chosen for the video games on the entry league occasion held at Dubai. Arif has already develop into an inspiration for the thousands and thousands of Indians, who wish to take up winter sports activities as their profession.
Arif has already taken a flight to Delhi from Srinagar and he can be flying to Beijing from the nationwide capital. After taking part in additional than 127 Worldwide championships, Arif now has a dream of successful a gold on the Beijing Winter Olympics.
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”It is a very inspiring and motivational second for me. I can be going for the Olympics and representing 1.4 billion individuals. I began snowboarding again in 1994 and since then, I’ve by no means seemed again. I continued my coaching throughout Europe and since 2008, I’ve been professionally into this sport and have been additionally coaching for the Olympic video games. I’ve participated in world championships and worldwide degree video games, Asian video games and different continental championships. After greater than 127 worldwide participations, I’ve realised that I might be probably the greatest athletes on the earth, ” stated Khan.
Arif has been snowboarding since his childhood and his father Yaseen Khan has been his predominant inspiration. His father used to ski on the slopes of Apharwat and that is when Arif took curiosity within the sport. Arif was a fast learner and had already taking part at nationwide degree occasions on the age of 12.
”The primary inspiration was my father. I began snowboarding due to him. I used to be born in these mountains, and it got here pure to me. And that is how, I now introduce these mountains to the world,” stated Arif Khan, skier.
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The federal government of India has offered Arif all of the assist that he required. From coaching to offering services, they’ve proven immense assist in the direction of Arif for final one 12 months. And thousands and thousands of kids are already impressed by Arif’s journey.
”I’m very pleased with the assist that the federal government has offered me. For a 12 months, I’ve been supplied with no matter necessities I’ve had from them. Coaching, journey and different services have been offered to me. I at all times thought we would have liked somebody to create the trail to attain one thing massive and I really feel excellent to be one in all them and I might give my finest efficiency. I’ve a dream to win a medal and would strive my finest to carry out on the slopes, ” added Khan.
The Jammu and Kashmir authorities can be hopeful that Arif’s entry into the Olympics would put Gulmarg on the map of world sports activities. And it’ll additionally assist the federal government to host worldwide degree sports activities occasions at Gulmarg.
”I wish to congratulate Arif for the entry into Winter Olympics, it is a second of delight for the entire nation and for Kashmir Valley. Reaching the Olympics is extraordinary. Whether or not it is in his private capability or representing the youth of the nation. He’ll develop into an icon for the children within the nation. He has skilled in Gulmarg, and Arif and Gulmarg are synonyms now. We’re praying that he wins a gold on the video games. I’ve been advised that he has at all times promoted Gulmarg,” stated G N Itoo, Director, Tourism.
The entire nation is now pinning their hopes on Arif Khan and need he wins a medal on the Winter Olympics.