In the beautiful valleys of Kashmir, where mountains touch the sky and dreams often face harsh realities, one man has dedicated his life to empowering the youth through martial arts. Mohammad Saleem Pathan, a martial arts champion from Ganderbal, has been running his Pathan Sqay Martial Arts Academy for the past 20 years, offering completely free training to boys and girls. The mission is rather innocent, but strong it is, and it is to provide people with the necessary and important skills of self-defense, as well as give confidence and power to young minds.
The special thing about his story is that he is giving such training without taking a single rupee because he believes that no child should be ignored in terms of learning and growing strong. Possibly, the greatest impact that Pathan has had is that his academy has provided a secure environment in which the young people can explore their possibilities, avoid the influences that are detrimental to them, and develop both physical and mental fitness. Not only have his students gained great life skills, but they have also performed in numerous championships, coming off with medals and honors for their community. This is a motivational tale of a man who transformed his interest into a service mission.
An Inspiration and Dedication-Triggered Journey
Mohammad Saleem Pathan’s martial arts journey began in 1997 when he met his coach, Nazir Ahmad Mir, quite by chance. He never forgot that meeting in his life. The young Pathan was deeply impressed by his coach’s motivational speech and the discipline he saw in martial arts training. At first, it was like curiosity, then it caught fire. Under Nazir sahib’s guidance, Pathan learned not just the physical techniques but also the mental discipline that martial arts demands.
His initial moment of realization was at Srinagar Indoor Stadium in his state championship, winning a gold medal. The win brought him his first step onto the national stage, and he participated in a national event at the Talkatora Stadium, Delhi. This time was the point of his life when he could live his dream – he could get the success he had dreamed of. Since then, his career has gained high momentum, and he has never taken a backward step.
Pathan has played approximately 22 national championships over the years and four to five times on the Asian competitive level. The greatest achievement occurred when he won the International Masters Cup trophy in seven consecutive years, a trophy that speaks its language on its dedication and competence.
Raising Shatters and Constructing Illusions
He is of the Pathan community in Ganderbal and has been through hard times in his growing years. The problem with transportation was rampant; there were not enough facilities, and many of the people who surrounded him doubted his decision. Friends and relatives often told his parents that they were wasting their son’s time on “useless activities” that would harm his studies.
But even his dad and mom were sure of his passion and followed his dreams. His father’s words still echo in his mind: “Whatever interests you, go for it and make your name shine.” This family support played a key role in his road to success. Today, his parents proudly say, “Yes, this is our son,” a testament to how his dedication paid off.
Initially, like many young people, Pathan thought martial arts were just about fighting and aggression. However, as he advanced further in the field, he came to realize that the discipline was more concerned with self-control, respect and sportsmanship. To study extended journeys was required – to Papora, to wherever his coach was stationed. He used to even miss school classes so that he could attend training sessions. This sacrifice and devotion influenced his personality and also made him understand the importance of good training. This experience also gave him a plan of thought on how to give back to the community.
The Academy That Contributes Back to Society
Inspired by his coach’s generosity in teaching him for free, Mohammad Saleem Pathan decided to start his academy with the same principle – no fees, just pure dedication to teaching. The initial academy that he opened was in the Rest House in Kangan, where he began to train children in the area. He has had many outstanding students who were people and personalities of that region. He later founded the second academy in Nannur and directly commenced operations in 2005 at Ganderbal Physical College.
Since then, he has been operating his academy ever since in Ganderbal. When the government launched the “Sports for All” scheme in 2015 through the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, Pathan registered his academy under this program. He has won many awards at the district level by both the DC and the district administration of Ganderbal over the years.
His martial arts organization, the International Council of Squay Martial Arts, has also honored him with several awards. He has been recognized as the “Best Referee of the Year” and “Best Official of the Year,” and he has achieved an 11th Dan black belt. Currently, his academy operates from Dreamland Educational Institute, thanks to the generous support of Bashir sahib. This owner has provided space for the children’s training for the past five years.
Life Change with Martial Arts Training
The impact of Mohammad Saleem Pathan’s free martial arts training extends far beyond physical fitness. According to him, martial arts helps children become mentally and physically fit, which is crucial in today’s society. It is the wish of every parent to keep their child out of the reach of negative elements, and martial arts does this. Precision and discipline needed in the martial arts training automatically keep the child away from bad company and destructive habits. When a child dedicates two to three years to any sport, they develop a sportsman’s mindset and approach everything with the same discipline.
Over 250 children who have been trained under Pathan have performed at the national level, and most of them returned with medals, which is a clear indication of how good the training is. The academy admits both boys and girls, and the effects are especially profound on young women. Girls learn the basic skills of self-defense, which becomes a way of protecting themselves during risky conditions, and boys learn the power of their mind during negative peer influence.
The training diverts children’s minds toward positive goals and helps them explore the exciting world of sports. Martial arts make children explore an alternative personality and understand that they can accomplish a lot in their future. This is not just a change in physical abilities; this is a change in character, confidence, and a sense of purpose that will be of use to them in their lives.
This article celebrates the remarkable work of Mohammad Saleem Pathan, whose dedication to free martial arts training continues to transform young lives in Kashmir, proving that true champions are measured not just by their victories but by the legacy they create for future generations.
Also Read: Farooq Ahmad Bhat: Keeping Kashmir’s Chain Stitch Legacy Alive
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