The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) appointed its new president on Tuesday at its Annual Normal Assembly in Chandigarh, because the baton modified fingers between the outgoing chief, Adille Sumariwalla, and Sagoo — the 2002 Asian Video games gold medallist in shot-put.
The 51-year-old Sagoo, who was additionally a part of the Indian contingent on the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics, got here by means of the ranks as an athlete from AFI’s inaugural junior nationwide camp in 1989-90 and selected to present it again to the game as an administrator after hanging up his boots.
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At present a commandant within the Punjab Police, the Jalandhar native’s worldwide journey started in 1992 with a gold medal in discus throw on the Asian Junior Championships in New Delhi, earlier than he transitioned to shot put in 1994.
“The AFI began junior nationwide camps in 1989-90 and I used to be a product of that initiative. I joined the camp in Patiala and my athletics journey started there. No matter I’ve achieved until now is because of athletics,” Sagoo stated whereas speaking to PTI.
Lalit Bhanot, who’s now the chairman of AFI Planning Fee, launched the junior programme throughout his days because the federation’s secretary. Sagoo credit Bhanot for advising him to change to shot put.
“I received a gold medal within the 1992 Asian Junior Championships in New Delhi. India received medals (seven) in (4) throw occasions for the primary time. Earlier than that China was dominating the throw occasions. That was the actual begin of my profession,” Sagoo continued.
“At one time I had a junior (U-16) discus throw nationwide document. (Late) Joginder Singh Saini was the junior group coach then. I used to be learning at school XI in Jalandhar at the moment.
“I shifted to shot put in 1994. The approach was the identical. Bhanot sir informed me to shift to shot put,” he added.
Sagoo grew up in a family the place his father ran a manufacturing unit as an entrepreneur. His introduction to athletics got here by means of his older sibling, a former athlete who at present resides within the USA.
“My elder brother was doing lengthy soar, triple soar and dash; and I additionally adopted him and needed to do jumps. However he stated ‘you could have an enormous constructed and so you must go for throws’,” Sagoo recalled.
Regardless of dealing with a career-threatening harm throughout his preliminary skilled journey, he managed to get well efficiently.
“I had an harm in 1995, a extreme again harm. Physician informed me I can not proceed my athletics profession. However the AFI and coaches backed me to proceed,” he stated.
One of the best shot-put throw of Sagoo’s profession coated a distance of 20.40m. His efficiency on the 2002 Asian Video games earned him a gold medal with a throw of 19.03m.
“My taking part in profession spanned greater than 15 years and I by no means thought I’d turn out to be AFI president. However right here I’m as AFI chief. I wish to pay again to the game which made me deliver laurels for the nation and formed my life,” stated the previous athlete.
