Ajmer Singh (athlete)
{{short description|Indian sprinter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ajmer Singh
| image =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1940|02|1}}
| birth_place = Kup Kalan, Sangrur district, Punjab
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2010|01|26|1940|02|1}}
| death_place = Chandigarh | nationality = Indian
| known_for =
| occupation = sprinter, academic }}
{{MedalTop}}
{{MedalSport | Men's Athletics}}
{{MedalCountry| {{flag|IND}} }}
{{MedalCompetition| 1966 Asian Games}}
{{MedalGold| 1966 Bangkok | 400 m}}
{{MedalSilver| 1966 Bangkok | 200 m}}
{{MedalBottom}}
Ajmer Singh (1 February 1940 – 26 January 2010) was an Indian sprinter who competed in the 1964 Summer Olympics, was a gold medalist at the 1966 Asian Games, in Bangkok, and later served as Director of Sports, Punjab University, Chandigarh.{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/si/ajmer-singh-2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418120129/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/si/ajmer-singh-2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2020 |accessdate=15 May 2012}}
Early life and education
He was born in a Jat Sikh farmer family of Kartar Singh Aulakh and Bachan Kaur Aulakh, at Kup Kalan village in the Sangrur district of Punjab[http://sportswire4u.blogspot.in/2010/01/by-sportswire4u.html Olympian athlete Prof Ajmer Singh is dead] sports wire, 26 January 2010.
He graduated from Government College, Malerkotla, and later did his Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.E.] from Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Gwalior. This was followed by M.A. from Punjab University, Chandigarh, and finally, he also did his Ph.D from Punjab University Chandigarh.
Ajmer Singh is the only Indian personality with a PhD degree in Physical Education to have been honored by Govt. of India with the Arjuna Award. He was a self-made man who came from very humble beginnings and remained a humble person all his life, an able administrator, a great coach and teacher, a passionate mentor, a strict disciplinarian, a warm human being whose heart and the home was always open to others, and a very fine family man.
Up to middle school level education, Ajmer had to walk to the neighbouring village of Rohira, some 2 miles (about 4 kilometers) from village Kup. Family being very poor, Ajmer walked bare feet, rain or shine, winters or summers, dressed in rags through thorny paths to school, and yet achieved first division at all school level examinations. There was no electricity in those days, and he would sit at night by a small oil lamp and study, as he would be out helping with all family chores at home and in the fields during daylight.
Always under-fed, and malnutritioned, Ajmer had knocking knees as a growing up child, and yet he became Asian champion in sprinting, and an Olympian athlete. Having lost his mother while he was a baby, Ajmer had only one regret having never known his mother.
Career
He took part in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, two years later at the 1966 Asian Games held at Bangkok, he won a gold in 400 metres, and a silver in 200 metres{{cite news |title=Olympian athlete Ajmer Singh passed away|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/athletics/Olympian-athlete-Ajmer-Singh-passed-away/articleshow/5506102.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928033854/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-27/athletics/28123124_1_condoled-ajmer-singh-sports-fraternity |url-status=live |archive-date=28 September 2013 |newspaper=The Times of India |date=27 January 2010 }}
Was on deputation as Special Education Officer to Federal Govt. of Nigeria from 1976 to 1979. While in Nigeria, Ajmer coached Daghba Minha who was his student at Federal Government Girls' College, Abuloma, Portharcourt, Nigeria, in athletics. Minha, under the able and dedicated guidance of Ajmer, became Nigeria's national champion in Shot Put and Discus Throw.
He also remained vice-chancellor of Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior and Maulana Abul Kalam Chair and Director Sports, at the Punjab University, Chandigarh.{{cite news |title=Olympian athlete Ajmer Singh dead |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/olympian-athlete-ajmer-singh-dead/572371/ |newspaper=Indian Express |date=28 January 2010|accessdate=16 May 2012 }}
He died in Chandigarh in the morning of 26 January 2010, at the age of 70,{{cite news |title=Olympian athlete's body donated for research |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/olympian-ajmer-singhs-body-donated-for-research/109322-5.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713040905/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/olympian-ajmer-singhs-body-donated-for-research/109322-5.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 July 2012 |publisher=CNN-IBN|date=28 January 2010 }} and is survived by his wife, two sons and grand children.
He was awarded the second highest sports award, the Arjuna Award by Government of India in 1966{{cite web|url=http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm |title=List of Award winners up to 2004 |accessdate=1 June 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225221945/http://yas.nic.in/yasroot/awards/arjuna.htm |archivedate=25 December 2007 }}
Two years before his death, Ajmer had declared his body be donated for medical research to Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research at Chandigarh. Also, he Ajmer had declared that no memorials be made/constructed in his memory in any form. Both his wishes were fulfilled by his family.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/si/ajmer-singh-2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418120129/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/si/ajmer-singh-2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2020 |title=Ajmer Singh}}
{{Footer Asian Games Champions 400 metres Men}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Ajmer}}
Category:Indian male sprinters
Category:Olympic athletes for India
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1964 Summer Olympics
Category:Athletes from Punjab, India
Category:Asian Games gold medalists for India
Category:Asian Games medalists in athletics (track and field)
Category:Asian Games silver medalists for India
Category:Recipients of the Arjuna Award
Category:Academic staff of Panjab University
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1966 Asian Games
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1970 Asian Games
Category:Medalists at the 1966 Asian Games
Category:Medalists at the 1970 Asian Games
Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games