Srinagar, May 24: To protest the official snub Valley’s top athlete has decided to take 100-kilometre protest run from Srinagar to Pahalgam on Saturday.
 Tanveer Hussain of old Srinagar city who has been top athlete of Valley from last seven years has found noble way of protesting the indifference and apathy shown by Government, J&K State Sports Council, Athletic association and Youth Services and Sports department.
 “I am totally dejected and feel like crying. I have not seen any help from the Government or the sports councils at any level, as if I don’t exist,” said Tanveer who has won numerous long distance events in the State recent being 42-kilometre Jammu Marathon organised by J&K Police.
 “I have won countless events, marathon race of 42-km in which 17,000 players participated. I was the topper in South Kashmir Half Marathon, I stood first in Anantnag Marathon. I achieved the first position in the Police Open Marathon of 42-km held from Grand Palace Srinagar to Ganderbal. Despite all this I have got no help till date from any quarters,” he said.
  “When I win any event every time I get pat on my shoulder and huge promises. However, the promises have proved to be promises only” he said.
 Hussain’s dream was to see his passion as his profession, but government apathy brought the athlete to his knees. “The decision is hard for me but I have decided to raise my voice now. I have decided to run 100 km from Srinagar to Pahalgam on Saturday as a form of protest to highlight how the state government is ignoring the real talent of the Valley,” Hussain said.
 He said that if government had provided him the requisite support, he would have been on top of the Indian athletic team but instead the govt has chosen to wink eyes.
 “Promoting sports would have helped in combating the rising menace of drug addiction that has reached alarming proportions in the Valley,” Tanveer said.
 “I am not the only one who will be quitting in the coming weeks; a number of other athletes is also preparing to bid adieu to the sport,” he said.
 About state of athletics as a sport in Valley he said, “Where does athletic exist, nowhere”. Except, JK Police, Bank and organisations like J&K Sports Development Association, no one is doing anything for the sports. It should have been J&K Athletics Association but they are here only to ruin athletics (mother of all sports) instead of promoting it”.
 “Athletics association is regulatory body of event in our State. However, they are not existent here. All these years I have not been able to represent the state in single national event all due to association forget about help from them,” he said.
 Tanveer says his protest run is reminder to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who has been repeatedly saying that sports have got highest priority under his regime.
 “He has been saying everywhere that sports has got highest priority in his Government. However, fir me it has got nothing. Where is Government and has it helped any genuine sports person till. Only those who have got influence and political backing are been highlighted, promoted and helped,” Tanveer says.
 “I don’t need promotion as I have earned lot of fame already. However if they want they can help me to show my talent on national arena and also help to earn livelihood as I belong to very poor family,” he added.
 Tanveer said that on Saturday he will run from Srinagar to Pahalgam alone and will complete the distance come what may.
 “I will run alone and I am confident that I will complete the distance. If any athlete wants to join me he/she is welcome,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 24 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 IST