By: Sameer Lone
Srinagar: Born in 2002, Shah Huzaib hails from Charari Sharief in Budgam district. He started playing football in 2016, when the valley witnessed uprising over the killing of militant Burhan Wani. As the time passed he started mastering the art of trick shots.
Few of his trick-shot videos made him an internet sensation. In 2020, his videos got featured in world’s famous sports websites like “Oh My Goal” and “People Are Awesome” where his videos got a whopping 5 million views.
His videos on different media sites and social media have so far clocked 20 Million views, Huzaib told Precious Kashmir.
When Huzaib started making headlines he caught the attention of former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia and Bollywood actor Sunil Shetty.
Both Bhutia and Shetty complimented Huzaib for his extraordinary skill-set and talent.
Huzaif’s videos also got featured by International footballer Toni Kroos of Real Madrid Club, which he finds is his greatest achievement so far.
Till the date, Huzaif said he has recorded over 400 trick-shot videos. “I learnt trick-shots from YouTube,” he said.
Huzaif looks up to footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as an inspiration. “I have been invited to several television shows including India’s Got Talent Season 9,” he said.
Academically, Huzaif is a NEET Aspirant. “My Aim is to make these Trick-shots popular,” he said.
Huzaib belongs to a family of humble background with his father a fruit businessman and mother a housewife.
Lt Governor of J&K, Manoj Sinha awarded him with the “KASHMIR YOUNG ACHIEVER’S AWARD in 2021.”
Trickshots are shots which seem impossible and require a significant skill. “When there were restrictions outside in Kashmir in 2016, those days I was totally addicted to football. I was only playing football. I left cricket because I found something new in soccer.”
As Huzaib was focussing on football, in 2018, he came across a trick-shot post on a YouTube channel (Dude Perfect)- a US based sports entertainment group who play trick-shots.
“Their trick-shots inspired me and I thought if I’m already good at football, then I should also play the same shots. I started preparing for trick shots. When I gained expertise I started posting them on social media. I received mixed reactions; some people appreciated and encouraged while some criticized too!” He said.
“I have made more than 400 trick-shots. One trick-shot took an average 2 to 3 hours and it depends on trick-shots,” Huzaif added.
His future plans are to take the trig-shots to a next level but for that he seeks a platform.
“My dream is to become a football star. My inspiration is Cristiano Ronaldo.” He concluded.
