Shahnaz Parveen becomes first woman athlete to win gold at National University Games
STATE TIMES NEWS
KARGIL: Shahnaz Parveen, who hails from far-flung village of Checheysna Sankoo in Kargil-Ladakh, became the first female athlete from Ladakh to win a gold medal in an official national event after she won the top honours in Group Poomsae under-30 at the National University Games held in Punjab.
She represented her university Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak at the games, which included participants from over 146 universities from across India.
Chairperson/CEC of LAHDC, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad Khan congratulated Shahnaz Parveen on winning the gold medal.
He stated that Kargil has produced several top athletes in Taekwondo who have made a mark not only at state-level events but also at national and international events and brought laurels to Ladakh.
CEC called Shahnaz Parveen a role model for future generation as sports has a bright future in UT Ladakh. “I hope that youngsters devote time to sports and pursue excellence in sport disciplines at different levels,” he said.
He also congratulated Ladakh Taekwondo Association and urged all sports associations to come on a common platform to make Ladakh a sporting hub in the country.
President of Ladakh Taekwondo Association, Gulzar Hussain Munshi congratulated Shahnaz Parveen on winning the gold medal at a national event. He urged University of Ladakh to start professional coaching of sportspersons to create a full-fledged team for the university.
He added that there are a number of talented young sportspersons and urged the UT Administration to help the association with infrastructure to ensure that more athletes can receive the required support and prepare for various events.
Shahnaz Parveen thanked her Coach, Atul Pangotra for her achievement.
She added that he is the best coach in India for Taekwondo who works on the strength of the player to use that for his or her success.
She also thanked Ladakh Taekwondo Association, her parents and people of Kargil who remain a source of inspiration for her.
Shahnaz Parveen also requested the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh to give special consideration to sporting disciplines that are already established to help these athletes showcase their talents and make a mark in their chosen sport. Its pertinent to mention here that Tashi Tundup from Fokar Kargil also won Gold Medal at the University Games recently.
