Umran Hussain
Maroof Hilal Sofi, hailing from saffron town pampore of Kashmir’s Pulwama has won fourteen gold, nine silver and three bronze medals in the field of martial arts.
Expert in manipuri style martial art, Thang ta Maroof has brought laurels to the state sports by securing top positions in various national championships.
A teenager Maroof Hilal serves as an inspiration for other teenagers of his area as an emerging and promising athlete.
Maroof was selected for an international championship in the year 2020, but due to the pandemic, the competition was called off and Maroof again had to bank on local championships.
Maroof started his journey in 2014, when he was just 12 years old and played his first district championship in international school Patal Bagh, where he secured a silver medal.
“After I did well in my first game, I got too much involved in the game and strived hard to know much about this game so that I could excel in Martial Arts.” Said Maroof while talking to The Kashmir Radar.
“Playing the National or International championships is only possible because of the active support from my parents who always stood by my side and motivated me to be the champion which I am today.” Said Maroof.
Maroof is presently serving as a coach of pampore Thang ta club, state official.
