Punit Balan Group to support cyclist Bilal Ahmad Dar’s Olympic aspirations

Punit Balan Group (PBG) has been supporting aspirations of youths from Jammu & Kashmir since 2018, helping them compete in international competitions across various sporting disciplines.

Recently, the group has signed the valley’s only international cyclist, Bilal Ahmad Dar. PBG will be helping Dar in his mission and help him fuel his dream to represent India at the Olympics.  

Punit Balan is an entrepreneur, a filmmaker, a social worker and a sports lover. He has been working with the Indian Army since 2018 to promote free education and rebuild lives of children jeopardised by drugs and militancy in the valley. PBG is dedicated to supporting youngsters in achieving their dreams as they remain committed to fostering a culture of excellence and growth.

Bilal Ahmad Dar hails from the Kawoosa village in the Budgam district and was spotted during a talent hunt in Srinagar. He has gone on to represent the country on the international scale. He demonstrated tremendous skill, dedication and tenacity to win a silver and a bronze medal at the 2019 Asian Junior Championship as well as two silver medals at the 2018 Asia Cup.

Punit Balan, Chairman and Managing Director, Punit Balan Group, said:

“Jammu & Kashmir has enormous potential and talents and I am committed to promote and support these athletes so that they can fulfil the dreams to represent India and compete professionally and win medals for the country. Through Punit Balan Group and Indrani Balan Foundation we aim to take numerous initiatives to bring the youth of this region into mainstream sports.“

Bilal Ahmad Dar added:

“I am extremely happy with the faith shown by Punit Sir and his team in me. My aim is to represent India at the Olympics, a feat that is still untouched and I am working hard to make this dream come true. I am confident with all the support I will leave no stones unturned in my efforts.“

The group has so far supported close to 5,000 youths, including the likes of Afreen Hayder (Taekwondo), Muhammad Saleem (cycling), Umar Shah (cricket) and Umeer Syed (Kho Kho).