New Delhi, India, July 12, 2020: Indian Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has paid fulsome tribute to Bahadur Singh who recently retired from the post of national chief athletics coach.
Hailing the efforts of the 74-year-old Asian Games gold medallist shot putter, Rijiju recalled that he had been motivated by Bahadur Singh’s feat to be a shot putter himself during his school days.
“Bahadur Singh has been an inspirational personality over five decades and rendered great service with his commitment, dedication and discipline,” Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Rijiju said at a virtual farewell of Bahadur Singh.
Rijiju also posted an old video on Twitter, where he can be seen interacting with athletes along with then athletics chief coach Bahadur Singh.
“My salute to legendary shot putter Bahadur Singh ji who retired as chief coach of Indian Athletics. Between 1973-85 he won three gold medals, two silver and three bronze at the Asian Games and Asian Championships and reached the finals at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He played for two decades and coached for three decades,” Rijiju tweeted.
Athletics legends PT Usha and Anju Bobby George too paid tribute.
PT Usha said: “He was already a renowned athlete and inspired everyone with his hard work and dedication to training. As chief coach, he would motivate coaches to do their best.”
“We were trying to communicate in sign language but unable to understand one another, but he folded his hands in prayer and asked me to jump. I secured bronze,” said India’s first World Athletics Championships medallist Bobby George.
Indian Olympic Association President Narinder Dhruv Batra recalled watching Bahadur Singh be a self-reliant man despite being 73 years of age during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.
Batra complimented the retired chief coach for creating a great culture in the Indian athletic camp and for his achievements.
IOA Secretary General Rajeev Mehta said he would remember Bahadur Singh as always smiling and, with his simple approach, helping Indian athletics.
Source: ANI News Agency