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| Captain C.K.Nair, Panniyankara, Kozhikkode |
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Recently Captain C.K.Nair of Kozhikkode wrote a letter to legendary athlete Milkha Singh, Patron of Nation Veterans’ Athletic Association, on the need to have a category of ‘Above 90’ in the veterans meets held at State level. His request is genuine, for 91-year-old Captain Nair’s dilemma is that he doesn’t have any peers to compete with him in the veterans’ meets these days.
Though many of his contemporaries have hung up their boots or fallen by the wayside of life’s marathon race, he continues to go steady at racing events, displaying a self-confidence that is as inspiring as it is rare.
Last week, he had wanted to compete in 100m and 200m events at the State Veterans’ meet at Kochi. However, there was no one to participate in the Above 90 category. So after much thought, the organizers permitted him to compete in the Above 800 category. And based on timing alone, he was declared the winner.
Captain Nair is practicing at the Medical College ground, Kozhikode these days and his ‘coach’ happens to be the Head of Physical Education Department. He is hoping to take part in the National Veterans’ meet in Chennai next week. Captain Nair retired from Infantry Battalion, Punj in 1969, and has been a regular fixture at the veterans’ meet since 1983. He was a regular winner in 100m, 200m and hurdles. However, later he had to discontinue hurdling and concentrate on long jump, due to a technical reason. According to the rule-book, those above 75 years of age are not allowed to compete in hurdles.
“Such rules are disappointing to people like us,” he says and adds that according to him, a person should be allowed to compete in any discipline provided he is fit.
He has no intension to retire from track in the near future. He regularly drives scooter and car and does not stick to a strict diet. He lives at Panniyankara with his wife.
“I do not think about my age at all. Besides, I do not worry about yesterdays,” he says.
Courtesy: Kerala Kaumudi, February 22, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
