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Old Man Of Marathons
Arriving For Sikh Games
Marathon man Fauja Singh, hockey
legend Pargat Singh to participate in the 2007 Annual Sikh Games
WSN Network
 Fremont:
Fauja Singh, the
world famous 96-years-old marathon runner, will be coming to the
annual Sikh games taking place on April 28th and 29th.
The SSA has sent him two tickets, one for him and one for his
personal trainer, Nirmal Lotay. Chairman of the SSA, Harvinder S.
Dhaliwal, stated, “It is quite an honor to have such a famous
athlete at the 2007 Sikh games. He is an amazing role model for our
children, and he is a great Sikh.” At the age of 92, Fauja Singh
signed a deal with Adidas for a major advertising campaign called
'Impossible is Nothing'.
In 2003, he set the marathon world record
for over 90-year-olds, completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in
five hours and 40 minutes. He was first off the starting blocks as
11,000 runners took part in the annual Edinburgh Marathon. At 94,
he's run seven marathons (five in London), countless half-marathons
and was recently part of the world's oldest marathon team in
Edinburgh. He set his sights on being a record breaker. He is a
great inspiration for the children of the bay area and it is quite
remarkable to have such a celebrity at this event.
Fauja Singh, however,
is not the only celebrity coming to the Sikh Games. Pargat Singh,
Director of Sports in Punjab and world famous hockey player will
also be coming. Vice Chairman of the SSA Surinder Singh declared,
“Having Pargat Singh come to this annual event is quite an amazing
and rare opportunity. Please bring your family and friends and come
to this event; it is something you will not wish to miss.” Pargat
Singh is considered to be the greatest Indian full back in modern
field hockey. He captained and represented India from 1984 to 1996.
He started his career when he played in the Junior Hockey World Cup
in Vancouver in 1985. His clean tackles and awesome interceptions
were breathtaking. He had amazing dribbling skills and ball control
and has, on more than a couple of occasions, scored for India.
Pargat Singh is now the Sports Director of Punjab.
Mohinder Singh Gill,
another Sikh sports celebrity who has won many medals at
international games in triple long jump is extremely happy with the
efforts of SSA and has decided to provide sports equipment free of
cost for this tournament. He said that it is the need of the hour to
provide support and encouragement to our athletes. Lachman Singh
Mangat said that he is proud of his friend’s support. Mangat who is
the technical director of Tennis games remarked that SSA would like
to see Sikh youth playing at national and international tennis
competition in the coming years.
Rajinder Pal Singh
Dhillon, General Secretary of SSA, said that the Sikh Games that are
being held in the Bay area are one of its kind and a biggest
sporting extravaganza in Northern America. He said that there is
great enthusiasm amongst athletes and the Sports fans. He said that
the interest in the games is increasing day by day and lots of
registrations have happened. He advises the athletes who want to
compete to register as early as possible as the slots are being
filled very quickly.
18 April 2007
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