Kashmiri youth becomes first J&K player to officiate in Tiger Shroff’s MMA event Matrix Fight Night in Dubai

Srinagar: Ace martial arts player and Coach Aaqib Majeed from south Kashmir district of Anantnag has become the first J&K player to officiate in the Matrix Fight Night (MFN) 6 that was held in Dubai last week.

Matrix Fight Night, founded by Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff and his sister Krishna Shroff, was held on September 24 at Palazzo Versace Dubai.

Aaqib, who is the founder of Foundation for Sports Learning and Development (FSLD), said that he had to undergo specialized training and quality practical and written tests to be a part of the officiating panel of MFN. “I am really happy that I was selected in the officiating panel of the sixth edition of MFN. It was an international sporting event that was viewed by millions of people across the world,” he said.

The south Kashmir youth -- who has won medals in various state, national and international martial arts tournaments during the last eight years -- said that he is the first martial arts player from J&K to officiate in such a prestigious international tournament. “I have been participating in state, national and international martial arts tournaments from last over eight years. Youth in south Kashmir were not attracted to this form of sports. But, I’m happy that during the last over four years, my team and I have been able to popularize martial arts in south Kashmir. We (FSLD) have academies in all four districts of south Kashmir where hundreds of students, including girls, practice martial arts,” he said.

“I am really thankful to Founder of AIMMAA and Vice President of GAMMAF, Director MFN Alan Fernandes, President AIMMAA Jitu Jain and Event Commissioner Mayank Dogra for giving me this opportunity and helping me learn the Nitty-gritty of the event,” he added.

Aaqib further said that he is planning to start full-fledged Mix Martial Arts (MMA) training centres in all districts of the valley, where players will be trained for events like MFN. “We will provide a platform to young martial arts players to showcase their talent and get selected for MFN tournaments in the near future,” he said.

He said a Sport MMA seminar will be held in Kashmir valley for students and officials on October 10. (UNI)