AMU Old Boy successfully organizes U.P. State Equestrian Championship 2009
The Uttar Pradesh State Equestrian Championship 2009 was organized by the Equestrian Association of Uttar Pradesh under the able stewardship of AMU Old Boy Mr. Salman Sayeed. The Championship was held from 28th January to 01st February 2009.
A soft spoken, polite boy of B.Com and MSW at AMU, an able Captain of AMU Riding Club who re-started the tracks for AMU Riding Clubs participations at the National level after a drought of participation of almost 14 years, a young sportsman who ventured to contest the MLA elections at the age of 23, a friend who never left anyone in need.
His leadership skills were never unnoticed by the community in general and people from Muzaffarnagar in particular. A young enthusiast, entrepreneur, businessman, agriculturalist and a social worker . Working towards progressive aspects and upliftment of the weaker sections of the society have been his very basic traits.
With a few friends and support from the Equestrian Federation of India, Chief, Col. Sarpartap Singh, he ventured to host and organize the U.P. State Equestrian Championship 2009 at S.D. P.G. College Grounds, Muzaffarnagar..
In the history of Uttar Pradesh, this was the landmark achievement in the Equestrian circuit after several decades. AMU had last ventured into hosting an event of such a magnitude was in 1989 under the able leadership of (Late) Md. Nasim Ansari Sb.
Besides, this was the first ever attempt by any civilian for daring to host such a huge event. Events of the state/regional/national level are organized only by the different units of the Indian Army and fewer times by the Police Academies.
Besides teams from Uttar Pradesh, there were teams like the Haryana Police, Border Security Forse (BSF), Olympic Riding Academy, RVC Meerut, RTS Saharanpur, RVC Hempur, ASC Bareilly, ASC Lucknow, ASC Meerut, Individual Units like Hasanwaalia's and most importantly, The Presidents Body Guard (PBG).
Another new feature that was incorporated in this championship was the participation of horses from rural parts of Uttar Pradesh. The crowds and governing authorities of Equestrian Sports were amazed to see the talent and training resource available in rural areas.
Apart from a number of different forms of Show Jumping Competitions, Tent-Pegging events, Dressage, Hacks and Gymkhana events, horse races were also included in the schedule of events. Rural training called the REBIA CHAAL was also showcased to the Judges for their inclusion into competitive forms in national events. The biggest crowd bustler was the Horse Dancing competition . It was so amazing for the Judges and spectators for a never seen wonder wigzags before the human eye.
It was very sad the Riding Team from AMU could not participate in the event. Though there were some eight Junior members who participated in Junior Gymkhana events and a Prize was won by Md. Faisal.
In the senior category, AMU Riding Club's, Athar A. Sulaiman won the Gold medal in EAUP Confined Tent Pegging, A bronze in Individual Tent Pegging, A shared silver medal with Maj. V.K. Mishra in Open Hacks, and a formidable 4th position in Sword Pegging Competition.
Athar A. Sulaiman has represented AMU thrice in the Nationals and was later named the U.P. State Equestrian Team Captain for the National Games to be held in June 2009.
Efforts of Mr. Salman Sayeed were commendable for arranging competent horses for the participants from AMU. Mr. Salman Sayeed himself on the final day of the competition gave a special display of Fire Tent Pegging.
The JURY for the events were:
- Wing Commander I.J. Lamba
- Col. Subhash Chand
- Lt. Col. B.P. Singh
- Col. Sarpartap Singh
- Brig. T.S. Hasanwalia
- Dr. Afaq A. Khan (former national player of AMU)
- Mr. Mashood Ali Khan (Ex-Capt, Riding Club 1983)
- Former AMU Riding Coach, Mr. Salim Bux Siddiqi
The Best Rider was Ris. Gulab Singh (RVC Saharanpur) followed by ASI. Nirmal Singh of Haryana Police. Ris. Gulab Singh was awarded the Nawab Mohammed Saeed Chattari Trophy by Mr. Nehal Singh & Mr. Yograj Singh (Minister, Govt of U.P.).
There were many eminent guests for all the five days including U.P. Minister Dr. Yeshwant Singh, Mr. Sanjay Garg, Mr. Saeeduzzaman, Mr. Somash Prakaash, Lt. Gen. J.K. Srivastava, and several others.
Governor of Haryana, Governor of Uttarakhand, Governor of Maharashtra, Minister of Defence for State, Mr. Pallam Raju, Member of Parliament Mr. Naveen Jindal and several other ministers sent their best wishes for the championship.
The organizing committee of the Championship had people mostly from AMU Alumni fraternity. These were:
- Mr. Salman Sayeed, Secretary General & Org. Secretary (AMU Alumni)
- Mr. Sanjay Garg, Minister (U.P), President, EAUP
- Mr. Ahmad Afsar, Show Director (AMU Alumni)
- Mr. Mirza Qaiser Beg, Chief Equitation Officer (AMU Alumni)
- Mr. Saeeduzzafar, EAUP Manager (AMU Alumni)
- Mr. Aleem Siddiqi, Riding Coach-Burhan Equestrian Society (AMU Alumni)
Though it is almost a month old news, I believe that we should all appreciate & encourage former Alumni who are doing their bits that are of appreciable significance.
Fuzail Furqan,
Mumbai
B.Sc (Year???)
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