My Journey With Masters Athlerics

 

My Journey with Masters Athletics: Fitness, Friendship and a New Purpose After Retirement

A personal journey from retirement to fitness, friendship and active ageing

By Balwant Singh Bisht
Member, Devbhoomi Masters Athletics Association, Uttarakhand

Retirement is often considered the beginning of a quieter phase of life. For me, however, retirement became the beginning of another journey—one that eventually introduced me to Masters Athletics, senior citizen sports, fitness, friendship and a renewed purpose in life.

I retired from my regular service on 31 March 2015. Like many retired people, I initially thought that I would have sufficient time to relax and pursue my interests. But life had other plans.

From Retirement to Another Career

स्टेडियम अजमेर

रुकना नहीं, चलते रहना ही जीवन है।
स्वस्थ रहें, सक्रिय रहें और दूसरों के लिए प्रेरणा बनें।"

Soon after retirement, I was appointed as a Principal in a private school. The school was approximately 40 kilometres from my home, and travelling such a long distance every day was uncomfortable and tiring. Nevertheless, I continued working there for about two years.

Later, I was appointed Principal of an English-medium Senior Secondary School. I remained associated with the school environment and was able to spend several productive years working with students and teachers. My association with a CBSE school was particularly valuable and gave me a good opportunity to remain connected with education.

For the next few years, I was also busy with my own business and other responsibilities. Life was active, but I had not yet discovered the role that sports could play in my life after retirement.

My Introduction to Senior Citizen Sports

Around 2017, one of my neighbours, who was also my former student and was working in the Dehradun Secretariat, told me about an organisation working to create awareness about health and fitness among senior citizens.

The organisation's message was simple but powerful:

Run, walk, play and have fun for better health.

It was associated with senior citizen sports activities and organised an Athletic Meet every year, with the primary objective of promoting fitness and healthy living in old age.

This was my introduction to the world of Masters Athletics.

I gradually realised that athletics was not merely a sport for young people. It could become an important part of life for senior citizens as well.

A Festival of Sports for Senior Citizens

The annual athletics meet was much more than a competition. It was a celebration of health, fitness, friendship and joyful living.

The programme included a variety of athletic and cultural activities:

• Short-distance races
• Long-distance races
• Walking events
• Jumps
• Hurdle races
• Relay races
• Shot put
• Discus throw
• Javelin throw
• Hammer throw
• March past
• Cultural programmes

The presence of technical staff from the Sports Department helped ensure proper conduct of the athletic events. Public representatives, business people and other members of society also extended their support.

The atmosphere was wonderful. Participants came together, competed enthusiastically and spent joyful time with one another. The event became a genuine get-together of senior citizens.

Five-Year Age Groups Make the Competition Special

One of the most interesting features of Masters Athletics is its age-group system.

Senior participants compete in five-year age categories such as:

60–65, 65–70, 70–75, 75–80, 80–85, 85–90, 90–95 and 95–100 years.

A participant is generally allowed to compete in up to three events in his or her age category.

This system provides an opportunity for people of similar ages to compete against one another. A 70-year-old does not have to compete against someone who is 40 or 50. This makes the competition fairer and, more importantly, gives older participants confidence and encouragement.

To further improve the quality and attraction of the competitions, younger participants aged 35 years and above are also included in five-year groups—35+, 40+, 45+, 50+, and so on.

Thus, Masters Athletics creates a sporting community that can include several generations of adults.

Medals Are Important, But Participation Is Greater

At the end of the competitions, winners securing first, second and third positions are honoured with medals and certificates by distinguished guests.

Winning a medal is certainly a matter of pride. But, in my opinion, the real achievement is stepping onto the field and participating.

For a senior citizen, completing a race, finishing a walk, attempting a jump or participating in a throwing event is itself a victory over inactivity.

The greatest medal is perhaps the confidence that comes from saying:

"I can still do it."

More Than Athletics: Health and Social Awareness

These events also provide a valuable platform for health awareness.

Senior citizens meet people from different backgrounds, languages and cultures. They exchange experiences, develop friendships and learn from one another.

There is also awareness about both physical and mental health. Good arrangements for seating, sound, lighting and other facilities make the event comfortable and enjoyable.

The atmosphere is often full of enthusiasm, laughter and companionship. In this sense, Masters Athletics becomes much more than a sports meet—it becomes a celebration of active ageing.

Organisation and Teamwork

A successful athletics meet requires proper organisation. The association functions through a structured body consisting of a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Committee.

Documentation and records are maintained, while technical officials ensure that events are conducted properly.

Such teamwork demonstrates that senior citizens can not only participate in activities but can also contribute actively to their organisation and society.

From State Meets to the National Stage

The journey does not end at the state level.

After state-level athletics meets, the National Masters Athletics Meet is organised. States may propose to host the National Meet, and representatives from different states participate in deciding which state will receive the opportunity.

The host state has the responsibility of arranging accommodation and meals for participating athletes—both men and women—from different parts of India.

A National Meet therefore becomes a large gathering of athletes from across the country. It provides opportunities for competition, friendship, cultural exchange and learning.

For many participants, it is also a stepping stone towards higher levels of Masters Athletics, including Asian and World competitions.

My Life at 73 and the Message of Masters Athletics

Today, at 73 years of age, I look back and feel grateful that I became associated with Masters Athletics.

My journey after retirement took several turns—from education and school administration to business and finally towards sports and fitness.

Masters Athletics taught me something very important:

Retirement from a job does not mean retirement from life.

A person may retire from professional duties, but he or she should not retire from physical activity, social interaction, learning and enjoyment.

For senior citizens, regular physical activity can bring confidence, discipline and a positive outlook. Sports can help us remain connected with society and, perhaps most importantly, give us a reason to get up every morning with enthusiasm.

A Message for Senior Citizens

I would encourage every senior citizen to find some form of physical activity suitable for his or her age and health.

It may be walking, yoga, stretching, light exercise or participation in Masters Athletics. The objective need not always be winning a medal.

The objective should be fitness, happiness and active ageing.

Organisations such as DAY CARE, Almora, can play an important role in encouraging senior citizens to participate in health, fitness and sports activities. Such programmes can transform retirement years into a period of renewed energy and social involvement.

My journey with Masters Athletics has convinced me that age is not the end of activity; it can be the beginning of a new chapter.

The track teaches us to keep moving.

The competition teaches us to challenge ourselves.

The friendships teach us that we are never alone.

And the finish line teaches us that every journey is worth completing.

My message is simple:

Do not retire from life when you retire from your job.

Keep walking. Keep running. Keep meeting people. Keep learning. Keep smiling.

Stay fit, stay active and make every additional year a healthy and joyful year.

That, for me, is the true spirit of Masters Athletics.