The beautiful valley of Kashmir frequently witnesses violence and it is well known that the inhabitants struggle for survival on daily basis. The media representation of Kashmiri youths is sometimes seemed unfair and is often depicted with a stereotypical narrative.
These cliches are very well challenged by a Kashmiri youth, who went viral and grabbed national and international attention. He stunned the world with his mind-blowing football trick shots. In 2021, former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia and Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty praised him on social media.
Shah is recognised for his achievement as he was awarded the Kashmir Young Achiever Award 2021. Further, his videos got featured on the world's famous sports websites, namely, Oh my goal, where his video garnered millions of views. He was also invited to several television shows including India's Got Talent Season 9.
In an exclusive conversation with Indiatimes, Shah Huzaib spoke about his decision to take up freestyle football and how it changed his life.
Born in Charari Sharief of Budgam district, Kashmir, Shah Huzaib started playing football in 2016.?
Initially, Shah was interested in cricket, but soon developed his interest in football. He recalls, ¡°After trying my hand (read feet) at football with my cousins, I discovered that I like it more than any other sport. After two years of intensive practice, I started doing trick shots in 2018. To do trick shots, you must be well familiar with the game. So I started with football.¡±
Shah said that his family provided him full support and encouraged him to seriously pursue this interest.?
In July 2016, the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani sparked political instability and people were confined to their respective homes due to imposed restrictions.?
During this period, Shah was 13 years old and started with football. He said, ¡°I was confined to my home as a 13-year-old boy and to relieve boredom, I began playing football in my yard by myself. Because the game requires a team to play, I discovered an unusual technique by attempting to master football tricks.¡±
Technology is a boon for people like Shah as he took the help of Youtube videos to learn football trick shots. He was inspired by ¡®Dude perfect channel¡¯ (Youtube channel), a US-based sports entertainment group that plays trick shots. He has made more than 400 trick shots and one trickshot takes about 2 -3 hours.
He said, ¡°I was blown away by what one of the guys on Youtube did. His gravity-defying tricks captivated me. I attempted to replicate some of the tricks on my lawn. I was smitten by what he did. I wanted to do the same.¡±
Talking about the trick shots, Shah tells that trick shots are shots that seem impossible and require significant skill. It requires practice, patience and presence of mind. One can do a perfect trick shot if one knows how to juggle the ball. One must have a hold on juggling. Shoot, accuracy, and other calculations are important but juggling is a must for a perfect trick shot
While talking about posting his videos on social media, Shah said, ¡°...place, where I'm living no one was showing interest in football. I decided to post them on social media platforms and the response was heart-warming. The reaction was good at the time of beginning and some people also encouraged my game but not everyone, some criticized too.¡±
Making his name world over was not that easy but his love for football and dedication helped him achieve the status. Shah strongly believes that the youth of Kashmir are a great asset to the country.?
He emphasised, ¡°They (Youth) are indeed the future of the country and represent it at every level. The role of Kashmiri youth in nation-building is more important than you might think. The intelligence and work of the youth of Kashmir will take the country on the pathway to success.¡±
¡°Youth are the building blocks of a country.? The youth of Kashmir is very energetic and enthusiastic. They have the ability to learn and adapt to the environment.? Similarly, they are willing to learn and act on it as well to achieve their goals. The nation requires their participation to achieve the goals and help in taking the country towards progress.¡± he added.
On employment opportunities in the region, he suggested that the ¡°government is required to create an environment to encourage more investment in the state, especially in the private sector, which will increase employment opportunities for youth.¡±
Shah wants to take these trick shots to an advanced level. He wants to become a football star like his ideal Cristiano Ronaldo. He urges the authority to provide him with facilities so that he could teach others in Valley.?
Recognising the immense power of social media, the youths need to channelise their power and energy in the right direction. Shah said, ¡°It can play a key role in reducing the venom that exists amongst the Kashmiri Awaam by bringing forth true facts.¡±
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