Srinagar: The talented young 20-year old cyclist of Valley Mansoor Ahmad Gujree who hails from Magam area of Budgam has dedicated his national cycling championship bronze medal to his parents who have been backing him over the years.
Mansoor who bagged bronze medal in the 21st National Cycling championship at Aligarh on Saturday has been battling poor family background and below par facilities over the years. However, Mansoor trusted his abilities and hard work. He finally achieved his dream of winning national medal on Saturday by cruising to third place in prestigious event.
Though Adil Teli bagged first place for JK in same category, it is Mansoor whose achievement has cached eye of everyone who has been following cycling in the State over the years.
Among other cyclists he was the most impressive young talent from five years. However, due to lack of quality equipment and facilities owing to his poor family background, Mansoor always fell short at last hurdle. He first came in scene three years back when he finished third in treacherous Tangmarg Gulmarg stage of Tour de Kashmir. It was despite the fact that he was riding on Rupees 3000 low quality cycle while as all the others boosted imported or top Indian brands.
He kept pushing himself and most of the time finished among top three places. He needed one last push which he found in his mentor and coach Muhammad Akber Khan. Akber took Mansoor under his guidance and started to train him. Mansoor in the meantime was also able to find a sponsor in shape of Celestial Buds High School. Though the sponsorship deal was not that big, but it still meant lot for the talented cyclist.
On Saturday, Mansoor did what he had always dreamt for. He finished third in the national cycling championship event and bagged bronze medal. He is fourth ever national medalist from State.
Mansoor dedicated his medal to his parents who kept backing him all these years.
Talking to KSW, he said, “I dedicate my medal to my parents. I belong to poor farmer family that lacks most of the luxuries. My parents always supported me and even boosted my morale whenever I used to down. I want to achieve many more accolades for them”.
Mansoor said that without the help of his mentor Muhammad Akber khan, he would not been able to achieve what looked like a distant dream.
“I have been training under Akber from last five years. It is he who brought me in cycling. I used to train with him before the event and it was that hardwork and guidance that helped me to win medal,” he said.
Mansoor said that JK would have bagged all three medals in the category if crash would not have happened.
“This year we have strong team. It is first time such a team is representing State in National event. Waheed, Anzil, Saleem got injured in the crash. We had high hopes from them,” he said.