Dronacharya awardee Joginder Singh Saini died on Sunday at the age of 90. (Source: File Photo)
I was just 16 when I went for my first international meet in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1980. I was the youngest member of the squad and didn’t have my personal coach (OM) Nambiar sir travelling with me. I was a little nervous but Saini sir ensured I did not face any difficulty. He took care of me like a father and guided me at every moment. I returned with four gold medals around my neck.
I went to the 1980 Moscow Olympics too without my personal coach and again Saini sir took care of me. He took me to the stadium, helped me with the warm-ups and guided me throughout. After the 100m event, I was really disappointed and my shoulders dropped. I had to compete in the 200m event, too, but I did not have the courage. Saini sir, however, wasn’t going to let me give up easily and motivated me to run in the 200m event.
The job of a chief coach is really difficult with so many athletes to take care of but Saini sir made sure he gave attention to every single athlete. I haven’t seen anyone as passionate about Indian athletics as him. He genuinely wanted to see every athlete excel and was very active. He was 24X7 on the ground. I always made it a point to meet him whenever I visited Patiala and his love of athletics never diminished.
I remember after the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where I could not make it to the finals due to a heel injury, I faced a lot of flak. Some people were really harsh and wrote things about me that were difficult to take. I could not give my best only because of the injury. It was a really challenging time for me. The very next year, I won four gold and two silver medals at the Asian Track and Field meet in Delhi and silenced them.
Athletics guru Shri JS Saini ji is no more 🙏
“Truly sad to hear of the passing of our colleague, my Chief coach & Mentor Saini ji.He loved athletics&contributed to AFI till his last https://t.co/8eQdxQinCx friend, philosopher & guide, RIP”-@Adille1 AFI President. pic.twitter.com/oEOUslqRXM
— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) March 1, 2020
In Delhi, I had proved who Usha was and that was enough for me. I quit and just sat at home. Saini sir travelled all the way to my home in Kerala and said ‘no, you can’t quit’. He convinced me to start running again and I won three silver medals at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games despite the limited time I had for preparation. If it wasn’t for sir, I would have called it quits in 1989 itself.
I am deeply grieved at the loss of such a great coach and human being. He always took my call for any guidance or help. He was like a father to me and his contribution to the sport is immeasurable. It hurts me when people tell me he’s no more. I cannot accept it because he continues to live in my memory and heart.