HONG KONG: Ajmal Samuel, a Pakistani athlete, outstanding businessman and veteran of the Pakistan Armed Forces, just lately made historical past by turning into the primary certified disabled (adaptive) paraglider pilot in Hong Kong and Asia, marking a brave and galvanizing achievement .
In keeping with a brochure, Ajmal, a former national-level rowing athlete from Hong Kong, accomplished his rigorous coaching within the South African wilderness positioned within the Western Cape area.
He launched into his journey to South Africa in February 2024 with a singular objective: to meet his dream of flying once more, regardless of struggling a spinal damage in 1987 throughout his service as a younger military officer.
With a ardour for journey and a decided spirit, Ajmal sought coaching beneath the skilled steerage of Matthew Van Zyl, a famend paragliding teacher primarily based in Cape City.
Not solely is Van Zyl a licensed paragliding teacher, however he additionally holds accreditation to instruct folks with disabilities. Ajmal’s coaching beneath Matthew would be the topic of a particular documentary, filmed throughout his intensive coaching program, to be launched later this yr, which marks a major milestone not just for him, but in addition for the adaptive paragliding neighborhood.
Ajmal is just not solely Matthew’s first adaptive paragliding pupil, but in addition the primary particular person with a incapacity to realize full qualification as a solo paragliding pilot on the African and Asian continents. Newly certified for his pilot’s license and in a dramatic finale to the documentary, Ajmal is now taking up the problem of leaping from 5,895 meter excessive Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, the primary disabled pilot to try the feat of the world document.
Earlier than being injured, Ajmal was a professional fixed-wing glider pilot throughout his tenure within the navy. Regardless of the challenges he confronted, his ardour for flying by no means waned. Turning into a professional adaptive paragliding pilot was the conclusion of a lifelong dream for Ajmal, who demonstrated outstanding resilience and dedication all through his journey.
“I’ve at all times wished to take part in aviation sports activities in Hong Kong and Asia and introduce them to the disabled neighborhood within the area, however this has been hampered by the shortage of amenities and consciousness on this a part of the world,” defined Ajmal. “I hope that my documentary, and I hope that the setting of a brand new world document in an excessive sport like paragliding by a disabled particular person residing in Hong Kong, will assist educate and encourage the disabled neighborhood in Asia to look into aviation as a sport that as many able-bodied folks can take part in.”
Ajmal’s achievement serves as an inspiration to people world wide, exhibiting the facility of perseverance and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Its historic achievement highlights the chances that exist for folks with disabilities within the context of utmost journey sports activities.
After a street accident whereas serving within the Pakistan Armed Forces left him paraplegic on the age of 21, Ajmal believed it was the tip of an lively, sporting life-style.
Confined to a wheelchair and struggling to be optimistic in regards to the future, it was the help and love of household, mates and medical doctors that motivated him not to surrender. With laborious work and dedication, he started to reshape his life.
Firstly, professionally, Ajmal can now be proud to be the founder and CEO of his personal monetary expertise enterprise, OCTO3 Group Holdings Restricted, a Hong Kong-based monetary expertise and infrastructure supplier specializing in funds. and clearing home programs.
Afterwards, he centered on his health and well being to the purpose the place he now calls himself a national-level endurance athlete, focusing totally on rowing, hand biking and triathlons.
Ajmal is a task mannequin who provides confidence to others that even a wheelchair is just not an impediment within the pursuit of goals, skilled or private.
