Valley basks in kick-boxing glory

At a time when killings, burning of schools, strikes and curfews have been making headlines in Kashmir, achievements of an eight-year-old girl from a remote village of the Valley has changed the mood in the violence-hit region.

Tajamul Islam, coached by the army in kick boxing, recently won the gold medal in world sub-junior category championship in Italy which witnessed participation of 90 countries.

On Sunday afternoon, she was welcomed home at Muslinabad village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district by hundreds of men and women who were dancing on the streets.

She was showered with rose petals and was accompanied by her friends, neighbours and relatives in a rally to her home amid slogans. “It is the happiest day of my life... sharing such a big success with my family members, especially with my sisters,” Tajamul told reporters.

Tajamul said she was nervous before going to Italy but her coaches helped her to emerge victorious. “Every opponent was tough, especially the last one from the US. I am so happy that I did the whole country proud by winning the gold medal,” she added.