iSporter and Sports Psychologist Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar shares with us a unique story on sport and how it can change lives for the better.
Awhile ago, Barkha Dutt was having a Focus Group Discussion regarding the 'Future of Kashmir' around the time when the Valley was once again in bloodshed. One participant in particular struck me and I've wanted to do a write-up on that youth. It is none other than Basharat Bashir Baba- the young aspiring Kashmiri Football Player.
The article is about the making of Basharat Bashir- the young Kashmiri who faced discrimination and immense challenge to pursue his dream of playing football as a professional player.
In fact, while researching for the article, I found that Director Ashwin Kumar was so impressed with the story and made a film named 'Football, Inshallah' which didn't really make it to the big screen. While the Film bagged an award, India failed to accept it. The film talks of the young angry Kashmiri boy who found hope in Football, his father who turned a militant and then mended his ways, and the Football Coach who came to Kashmir to instill hope in young Kashmiris. Wish movies like 'Football, Inshallah' would be promoted by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) than grading an 'A' certificate, which literally bans the entry of the film into the main market!
We all know the importance and advantages of Sport, yet its applicability to the disturbed Valley cannot be emphasized. Sadly when we talk of Kashmir, one remembers the unrest and violence. How do you instill values and positivity in such a place? Sports can ensure normality by ensuring challenge, adrenalin rush, improve mental creativity and most important dealing with stress. Kashmir most often in the lime-light for the wrong reasons needs bacon of hope and in Bashir's own words, "The mentality of a Kashmiri youth is that if the police cannot change, nobody can change. But I think football can change".
While we talk of our sporting icons conquering challenges, we tend to ignore people who are making a big difference in the lives of numerous youngsters who are battling with despair. So what exactly is the story of this youth? Three-years ago Basharat joined ISAT (International Sports Academy Trust) founded by the Argentinean Coach Marcus Trio - hats off to this coach who envisioned how sport could change lives for the better. "So this is the purpose of the program, giving life, giving hope, giving a chance to dream," says Troia. Trio feels Bashir has immense talent and can do well in Football but the challenge goes much beyond Football talent.
Basharat Bashir Baba- a young 20 year old Kashmiri faced discrimination while playing for a big club in Calcutta when he first started. It's disheartening to even quote this but this is the treatment meted on Bashir and many like him, "they were saying: You are from Kashmir, you are a terrorist, you are a militant. We don't want to play with you. And I said ok, I will leave the club. And I left the club." Luckily, Bashir found help and optimism under Coach Trio's Academy where he has been training since then.
Just when things were looking to brighten up, Bashir applied for a passport to travel to Spain and then Brazil for overseas opportunities. However, he was denied one stating past militant links of his father. Bashir was furious but later felt pride that his father had mended his ways. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, stepped in to ensure the young striker received the police security clearance he required. It's no surprise that obtaining the passport was a life-line, "My passport is a life for me now. It's everything," added Baba.
Bashir now owns a passport and is all set to make it big. "My first dream would be to play for India and then I want to open an academy in Kashmir," said Basharat Bashir Baba. He's living his dream and is making the most of the football opportunities.
To me this is nothing less than what many of our inspirational sporting icons have achieved. Yes, it's still the beginning of the road but all great stories are made this way. Let's hope and wish this youth and others like him spread hope and joy via sport in the Kashmir Valley!
Dr. Chaitanya Sridhar is a sports psychologist and practices out of Bangalore. She writes regularly on www.isport.in
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a guest
said:
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... Very heart warming, instilling hope and motivation to millions of youth. Matured writing. Congradulations. Best wishes |
Amit P
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... Nothing maketh a man better at an art (sport in this case) than a yearning to learn it at all costs and the presence of insurmountable hardships along its path. The piece above is another proof of why India should go to the smaller towns to find its next sporting heroes. For in smaller towns life is never presented on a silver platter but is instead a continuous struggle. Thank you for bringing such stories to light Dr. Chaitanya. |
a guest
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... a very emotive and eloquent writing ma'am! hope this article unfolds the struggles of many such other unsung heroes!! Wishing that this article helps in what ever way possible,Bashir's dream turning into reality in the near future. -Bhargavi |
a guest
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... .........Thank god something about India was salvaged.......hope this example is followed many more..........what politics could not and will never think of achieving..........perhaps sports can conquer..........Inshallah! |
a guest
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... a fantastic story. A much needed revelation when lot of us find it easy to sulk and say - "that's the way it will be" " "things will never change" and " they are all the same" . It takes passion and drive to think positive and never give up and Bashir outshines where many remain unknown. And truly said by Dr. Sridhar sports could bring in the positivity and engagement that can change perspectives. Not surprising that team games have found their way into corporate trainings as well. Priya Veeraraghavan, HR Professional, Bangalore. |
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