Sopore, Dec 05: Ronak Reyaz, 15, a student of 8th standard won Gold in International Thang Ta Championship, held in Manipur Imphal from 22-24th November 2018, for India. While as 14-year-old Arbina Ahmad, who is the classmate of Ronak, won Silver in the same Championship.
Hailing from Magraypora village of Sopore outskirts, Ronak is a student of Shah Rasool Memorial Welkin Educational Trust Sopore. Arbina Ahmad, who lives in Feroze Pora Rafiabad is also a student of Welkin.
“My inspiration for playing Thang Ta came from my brother, Hashim Reyaz, who has participated in various State level Thang Ta Championships. He guided me to better understand the techniques of game,” Ronak told Kashmir Images.
“In 2015, I played my first district level Thang Ta championship at SRM Welkin Sopore but could not clinch a medal. I learned a lot from my career’s first Thang Ta competition and it was then that I decided to continue playing the game,” said Ronak.
Ronak said that she devoted 2016 year to practicing and learning Thang Ta under the guidance of her brother. “In 2017, I participated in the district level Thang Ta Championship held at Baramulla and won Gold for my school. It was my first ever achievement in the game,” she added.
“I have also won a Silver medal for the State in the 24th National Thang Ta Championship held at Haryana from 28th and 30 March 2018. It was during the same event that I was selected for International Thang Ta Championship at Manipur Imphal. I faced contestants of many countries including Bhutan, Bangladesh and Nepal and others and won Gold for India,” said Ronak.
Ronak is happy about her achievement but feels dissatisfied with the kind of response she has received for winning Gold at an International Championship. “The authorities of my school, who provided me a necessary platform for showcasing my talent in the game, did not bother to congratulate me,” she added.
Ronak said that whatever she has achieved today it was possible because of Almighty Allah and secondly her father, mother and relatives played an important role in her success.
Arbina who won Silver in the International Thang Ta Championship held at Manipur Imphal said: “Let me thank to Almighty Allah for everything and thanks to my coach, trainers and I would also like to thank my parents for their unconditional support.”
“I am playing Thang Ta since I was studying in 5th standard. My journey of playing Thang Ta has not been smooth as I have seen many ups and downs,” she added.
While playing many Nationals of Thang Ta, Arbina has won Gold in Hyderabad, Silver in Agra, Bronze in Haryana and Silver in Chandigarh. “I have been selected for Thang Ta World Championship which is scheduled next year in Thailand,” said Arbina.
Kashmir Images contacted Vice Chairperson SRM Welkin, Baseema Aijaz, to enquire about why her school remained silent over the achievement of their students. “We already know how to promote talent of our students as the school has alrready shared the achievement of its girl students on Instagram,” said Baseema.
“We don’t believe in promoting our achievements through print and electronic media,” she added.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council Secretary Dr Naseem Javed Chowdhary told Kashmir Images that it is not possible for them to invite all the sportspersons. “We are planning to hold convocation where we will be facilitating the sportspersons who have achieved different feats,” he added.
