Qaiser Dar
Srinagar 26 August (KNB): As virtual battle games has taken over the world; it is time for a change, thrilling real life battle experience is set to mark a new chapter in recreational activities of Jammu and Kashmir with Wildebeest Hub Private Limited going to launch ‘Paintball’ shooting game on 29th of August at Tangnar, Doodhpathri Development Authority in Budgam district.
Founder of the platform, Tajamul Rashid Wani believes in taking up conventional sports, and recreational activities and reintroducing them in an unconventional way.
“You are looking at a paradigm shift in the history of recreation and fun,” he told the Kashmir News Bureau.
Originated in America in the early eighties, Paintball is a game played outdoors as well as indoors which involves teams or individual players competing with each other to eliminate others by tagging them with a paintball expelled from a specialised equipment called a Paintball marker.
Talking about the reason for taking up the first of its kind initiative in J&K, ” Tajamul told KNB, “It is very unfortunate that we don’t have any exciting sport here, sure we have seasonal activities like skiing, rafting, skating, etc. But why to limit our youth to seasonal activities when they can have year round fun.”
“The purpose of Wildebeest Hub is to provide the residents of J&K the best outdoor adventure facility in the North India. The Concession stand will be a large comfortable area where players and guests can socialise,” said Tajamul about the facility which is spread on 35 Kanals of land.
He said that paintball is an outdoor sport which makes a person agile and nimble.
“Best thing is that it is a real life action game, just like virtual games which took the world by its storm, e.g PUBG, Call of Duty or Counter Strike. We should encourage the new generation to move out of the social media shackles and get involved with some sport, and paintball is the best way to start,” Tajamul said.
Played by millions of people and in around 100 countries across the globe, Paintball has become one of the most exciting real life combat games.
Tajamul said that everyone deserves a good day out especially in Kashmir, as many problems already exit here.
“We need to have a broader mindset for accepting new sports and recreational activities like paintball, Archery, or Airsoft in Kashmir. These are premium sports activities which are common in India,” he said, “It is important to realise how much helpful the game would be to our youth who are getting involved in wrong and harmful activities like drugs, alcoholism etc.”
Talking about the challenges faced in establishing the game field in Kashmir, Tajamul said, “Major challenge was the awareness of this sport as the majority of people and government officials were not familiar with the concept.”
“There is a set narrative that the government is taking initiatives for entrepreneurs and business owners, but at ground reality it is much difficult to get anything done here. Ease of doing business shall be given the priority,” he said, adding that nevertheless, Doodhpathri Development Authority has been highly supportive of this initiative and played a vital role in making it a reality.
Founder Tajamul Rashid told KNB that persistence and determination makes Wildebeest special.
“When I initiated all of this in 2018, I was not sure how to pursue it, how people or the government would respond to it. The reason is the uncertain and highly volatile nature of Kashmir. The external factors are completely unpredictable. I saw mixed reactions from many of my friends, mentors, my family etc. But I love this sport and I wanted to bring it here,” he said. (KNB)