Trainer
I joined the “veteran” circuit for hammer throw, swimming
and running when I was fifty five years old--- way in the distant past. Not having done any throws since high school,
( I can remember Jawaharalal Nehru and the Indo-china war), I asked the local
official state athletic foundation if they could recommend a coach. I was
overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and response. They did not have a female
“veteran” wanting to do hammer throw in the entire state!
The trainer allotted to me was a very personable six foot 90
kilo athlete with broad powerful
shoulders no stomach at all and a great deal of enthusiasm .He had once
represented India for hammer throw in the Asian games. (He lived in our small
town of Vellore). He also held a masters degree in sports.
“I can train only from 5 AM to 6AM” I told him, “ I have to set my house in order and get to
work by 8AM.”
“No problem” he said,”I get up at 4 AM.”
Three times a week he turned up on his motor bike and we
trained. He took me for the competition. There were no other females in the
hammer throw category in any age group.
“Can you throw?” asked the referee.
“Of course she can,” said the trainer proudly, “I trained
her.”
The tricky thing
about hammer throw is that if your release is “off” the hammer will land among
the spectators.
The referee was taking no chances. He asked all the
spectators to sit on the pavilion steps.
I released the hammer . It travelled 52 meters and I was
declared the gold medalist.
“Aha “ said my trainer,” now we will practice for the
nationals.”
A week later he arrived crestfallen. “I have been selected
for the Police in the sports quota. I have to leave for training.”
He kept in touch but I lost interest in the hammer and
concentrated on my swimming and running.
Two years later he turned up a my clinic in full police
uniform. He had become a Sub –inspector.
“I cannot bear the police force it is giving me high blood
pressure.”
“Why?” I asked.
“They take bribes for everything. I said I don’t want and I
don’t take so they punish me. They are scared I will inform the CBI.”
My curiosity was aroused. I really could not imagine anyone
trying to punish this hefty giant.
“They post me in traffic control. They send me to faraway
villages with no food or toilet. “ (He really enjoyed his meals) I have to
cover Diwali.”
Apparently there was a law stating that no crackers were to
be burst after 10 PM. He had to go around in a police van and round up
“criminals.”
He caught about 10 children and brought them to the police
station with their fathers.
The inspector arrived the next morning.
“Why are all these people here?”
“They were bursting crackers—“
“Just beat them and let them go.”
He caned the fathers. When he unenthusiastically reached no3
the inspector said, “ why are you caning these men? They say they were not
there at all”.
“They are responsible for the children’s behavior,” said the
trainer. It did not cut ice and he got a reprimand.
They made him stand and direct traffic. His “relief” did not
arrive. After 6 hours he climbed down and went to the toilet. There was a
terrible traffic snarl. The inspector and his beacon and siren were caught in
the ensuing melee. That did not help.
He was posted as an escort to take a “rowdy” to the high
court 200 kilometers away. They went in a police van. He had two constables
with him. It was really late in the day when the court was adjourned. He sent
the constables for lunch, fed the prisoner and went into a hotel to eat a
“hearty meal.”
When he returned to the van, there was blood and confusion
everywhere. Four man armed with sickles had broken into the van and hacked the
rowdy to death. The constables fled. They had guns, but the bullets had been locked up in the dashboard
for safe keeping----
“I am on suspension,” he told be dejectedly,” but I cannot
quit the police for 5 years.”
“How will you survive 5 years?”
“ I am planning to study for my UGC (university grants
commission) exam and become a sports teacher--- I really like training people.”
I guess regular exercise and sports gives you a positive
perspective on life!
