Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, June 30: Setting examples for the entire sports fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir, the meritorious couples from this region of the State, veteran athletes Tarsem Lal Basotra and Sudesh Basotra along with VK Dogra and Pawan Sharma have clinched a galaxy of medals in the Open National Athletics Championship held at Alwar in Rajasthan, serving a message that age is just a number and nothing else.
While Pawan Sharma (50), who has the honour of clinching 3rd place in the International Half Marathon at Leh last year, besides claiming gold medals in Nationals from 4 consecutive years, was the star performer at Alwar, bagging 4 gold medals in 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters and 5 kilometers, Sudesh Basotra (57) was not far behind, who also bagged 4 medals with gold in brisk walk, silver in 100 meters and bronze in 200 meters and 5 kilometers.
Taking a leaf from the books of their wives, Tarsem Lal Basotra (63) and VK Dogra (55) also claimed medals in this prestigious championship, with Tasem bagging 1 gold in brisk walk and Dogra claiming 1 silver and 1 bronze.
Mamta (32) daughter-in-law of Tarsem and Sudesh also sparkled in the Championship and claimed gold.
Talking to EXCELSIOR, Mr Tarsem and Mrs Sudesh, hailing from Greater Kailash, Jammu said that they enjoy each and every moment of this sport, adding that good performance in sporting field helps them to perform better in business field also as the charm of fitness guides them to lead from the front.
“Age is no bar. We will be proceeding to Leh in September this year to participate in 21 kilometer Marathon. We are hopeful to win medals there also,” said Basotra couple.
Their son Vikas Basotra has also been a sportsperson (boxer) of great repute.
When contacted, VK Dogra (employee in SMVDU) and Pawan Sharma (Govt Teacher) said that they have been in sporting field from last ten years and have observed that age is simply a number and has hardly anything to do with performance and excellence, adding that they started to walk and run at the ages of around 40 years as part of their fitness programme and recreational activity, without any competitive mindset. However, sheer-dint of hard work and routine practice took us to win big haul of medals at the National scene.
“Practice makes one perfect. I would love to suggest women folk to more and more participate in games and sports and become physically fit and bring laurels for themselves and for the State as well,” said Pawan who has the honour of participating and completing 11 half and 2 full Marathons.
These veteran athletes will surely serve as an inspiration to the budding sportspersons of the State to be more devoted and determined in keeping their State’s Flag high at the bigger circuit and help the State of Jammu and Kashmir to carve a space at the Country’s Sports Map.
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