By Florine Roche
Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia

Sullia, Nov 16: The premises of the famous Kukke Subrahmanya Temple was bustling with activity on Friday November 13 and Saturday November 14 as men and women in all age groups ranging from 30 plus to 90 plus had gathered in full gusto attracting the attention of tourists and locals alike. “They came, they saw and they conquered” could be the right epithet to describe in one sentence about the event that was flagged off from the sacred temple premises. 

Nearly 300 athletes from different parts of the country had gathered at Subrahmanya to participate in the 3rd National Veterans Half Marathon and Minithon Championship 2009, conducted jointly by Veteran Athletic Federation of India, Kreedabhivridhi Samithi, Panja and Government P U College, Panja.  The marathon had an auspicious beginning with Sri Vidyaprasanna Teertha Sripada of Subrahmanya Temple flagging off the meet that ended at the new Koti Chennayya Stadium at Panja. 

Though it was Children’s Day it was the veterans who hogged all the limelight in the streets from Subrahmanya to Panja Koti Chennayya Stadium, which was all set for the inauguration of the new 400 metre track. There seems to be no better way to mark the inauguration of the new Koti Chennayya Stadium which stood in all its glory in this remote village thanks to the efforts of the locals at the initiative of some old students who made it a mission to give a modern stadium to the people of Panja.  

The stamina, the enthusiasm, the energy and the attitude of all these veterans was seen to be believed.  They made the right type of noise at the right time and when it comes to their fitness they showed they are no less to the young athletes.  The 21 kms half marathon for men in the age group of 30 plus to 45 plus in 4 different categories in these gusty roads of Subrahmanya was nothing less of a full marathon considering the tough and uneven terrain of this area. The distance went on decreasing at the age group increased.  For women it was 10 kms minithon in 30 plus and 35 plus age group and 5 kms in 45 plus and then 3 kms in 45 plus and 2 kms in 65 plus and above.   

Finally there was a tough fight between Maharashtra and Karnataka for team championship.  While Maharashtra won the men’s championship Karnataka women had the revenge winning the team championship.

The highlight of the meet was the spirit exhibited by some of the veteran athletes who had assembled here from far off places.  94 year old J S Moniz created history when he successfully completed the 2 km minithon. A 53-year-old blind Amarjith Singh Chawla of Mumbai hogged the limelight as he completed 21 kms half marathon which he ran with the help of escort and the audience saluted his achievement with a standing ovation and thunderous applause. Amarjith has certainly shown that if there is a will there is a way.  Both Moniz and Amarjith were awarded a medal and certificate for their extraordinary achievement. 

Chairman of Veteran Athletics Federation of India M R Ranganath, Dr Sylvester D Souza of Kreedabhivridhi Sangha, Panja and Kodandarame Gowda, President of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Athletic Association inaugurated the meet by hoisting the three flags of the three organizers.  Sullia MLA S Angara inaugurated the 400 metre track at Koti Chennayya Stadium.  He lauded the efforts of local organizations for conducting this tournament in the absence of any aid from the government.  

Colourful cultural programme marked the inauguration of these programmes.  The entire cultural programme was built around the theme of Yakshagana, the local folk art form, thus giving a glimpse of our rich and vibrant tradition and culture to the athletes who have come from other parts of the country. Athletic events were conducted for school children in the newly inaugurated track.  

The stage programme was an elaborate affair with a host of luminaries gracing the occasion with their presence. MLA S Angara, Santhosh Kumar Bhandary, zilla panchayat president, Mangalore, S N Manmatha, president K F D C, Fr F L Gomes, principal, St Philomena College, Puttur, K Thejomaya, trustee, NMPT, Jaya P Suvarna, president National Billava Union, Venkat Dambekodi, president, Social Justice Committee, zilla panchayat, Mangalore, Pushpavathi, M R Ranganath, chairman, Veteran Athletics’ Federation of India, Dr Sylvester D’Souza, Kodandarame Gowda, Gerald D’Souza and many others who have played a stellar role in the construction of this new stadium. 

Medals and certificates were distributed to the winners in each category of marathon up to 6th place. As a major incentive winners will be given cash awards by the organizers. Elaborate arrangements were made for the boarding and lodging of athletes at Subrahmanya Temple guest house. School and college children were present everywhere with their yellow shirt volunteering from offering water to runners on the marathon path to guiding them to the stadium and meeting the every need of the athletes from water to food.  It was meticulously planned and executed and the organizers certainly deserve a pat for organizing the mega event in this village with such finesse.    

Though it was Children’s Day, veterans certainly stole the limelight and they all deserved it.  

Amarjith - Fine Example for Spirit of Sportmanship

Amarjith Singh Chawla exhibited the true spirit of sportsmanship inspiring all those who value the spirit of playing the game in the true spirit of the game.  Though he is 53 years of age he participated in the 45 plus category so that he could complete 21 km race.  For those above 50 there was only 10 kms race.  But he completed the 21 km marathon as his main motto was to complete the marathon rather than winning.  The crowd gave him a standing ovation saluting the spirit with which he participated in the marathon.  

Amarjith had normal eye sight up to 13 years of age.  His eye sight slowly began to fade and by 41 he was in total darkness.  But that did not deter his spirits.  He took to sports as an alternative to keep his body and mind fit at 48 and has participated in 11 half marathons.  Soon his name will be in Limca Book of Records for scaling a height of 19,100 feet in Himalaya in Tibet in Dolma Pass this year. 

His family pooh-poohs his passion for sports and adventure. “Sports keep me in good health and are also a major motivating factor. It is a diversion which has kept me saner amidst the tragedy I have faced in life”, says Amarjith who is a LIC agent.