First State Masters Athletics Meet begins with grandeur in Ferozepur
MLA Ranbir Singh Bhullar inaugurates the event; MLA Naresh Kataria attends as special guest
Athletes aged 35 to 104 from across Punjab participate enthusiastically; competitions include 3-km race, walk, long jump and shot put
Ferozepur, November 14, 2026: Proving that neither the sky is the limit nor age a barrier to pursuing one's passion for sports, athletes ranging from 35 to an inspiring 104 years of age came together with remarkable enthusiasm as the first State Masters Athletics Meet commenced at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, Ferozepur, on Friday. Organised by the Masters Athletic Federation of Punjab in collaboration with the Ferozepur District Administration, the meet celebrated fitness, determination and the undying spirit of sportsmanship, demonstrating that age is no obstacle to staying active and continuing to chase one's sporting dreams.
The two-day state-level sporting event was inaugurated by Ferozepur City MLA Ranbir Singh Bhullar. Zira MLA Naresh Kataria, Federation Chairman Rajwant Singh Ghulli (Office In-charge, Chief Minister Punjab), President of the Masters Athletic Federation of Punjab Rajinder Singh Sidhuan, District Masters Athletics Association Ferozepur President Dr. Gurinderjit Singh Dhillon, General Secretary Ishwar Sharma and Federation Secretary Pargat Singh Gill were also present on the occasion and encouraged the participating athletes.
Addressing the gathering, MLA Ranbir Singh Bhullar said that sports play a vital role in keeping people physically and mentally fit while inculcating discipline, patience, endurance and a spirit of cooperation. He said the organisation of Masters Games proves that age is never a barrier to sports and that people can maintain a healthy and active lifestyle at every stage of life by remaining connected with sporting activities.
Sharing details of the first day's competitions and results, District Masters Athletics Association President Dr. Gurinderjit Singh Dhillon, General Secretary Ishwar Sharma and Press Secretary Sarabjit Singh Bhawra said that athletes from different districts of Punjab participated in various events.
The winners were honoured with medals and certificates. In addition, athletes who had achieved distinctions at national and international levels were felicitated. Special recognition was also given to 104-year-old Jagtar Singh Dhanoa, whose presence served as an inspiration for participants and sports enthusiasts.
A large number of sports enthusiasts and prominent personalities also attended the event, making the inaugural day a memorable celebration of fitness, sporting spirit and lifelong participation in athletics.
In the 3-km men's race, the first positions in different age categories were secured by Amandeep Singh of Fazilka (35 years), Kuldeep Singh of Ferozepur (40 years), Kuldeep Singh of Bathinda (45 years), Kulwant Singh of Ferozepur (50 years), Major Singh of Amritsar (55 years), Santosh Kumar of Bathinda (60 years), Joginder Singh of Ludhiana (65 years), Joginder Pal Saroa of Hoshiarpur (70 years), Rabinder Singh of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (75 years) and Mahinder Singh of Ludhiana (80 years).
In the 3-km walking event, the top positions were secured by Mani Rana of Ferozepur (30 years), Maninder Kaur of Ferozepur (35 years), Ranjit Kaur of Malerkotla (40 years), Gurpreetpal Kaur of Hoshiarpur (50 years), Saroj Rani of Sangrur (55 years), Sarabjit Kaur of Ludhiana (60 years) and Davinder Kaur of Ferozepur (65 years).
In the long jump event, Gurwinder Singh of Bathinda secured first position in the 35–40 years category, Gur Iqbal Singh of Ludhiana in the 40–45 years category and Kuldeep Singh of Bathinda in the 45–50 years category.
Similarly, in the shot put event, Dharminder Singh of Faridkot (35 years), Gurpreet Singh of Moga (40 years), Sukhjinder Singh of Faridkot (45 years), Manohar Singh of Gurdaspur (50 years), Kulbir Singh of Abohar (55 years), Surjit Singh Chhina of Jalandhar (60 years) and Kuldeep Singh of Kapurthala (65 years) secured first positions in their respective age categories.
Among those present on the occasion were Association Chairman Gurdial Singh Virk, Pargat Singh Gill, Treasurer Dalip Singh Sandhu, Press Secretary Sarabjit Singh Bhawra, Bapu Jagtar Singh, Baldev Raj Sharma, Gurwinder Singh Matharu, Jaspreet Singh, Dr. Surjit Singh, Manjit Singh, Jasbir Kaur (Lecturer), Jagir Singh, Kewal Krishan, Harbinder Singh, Satinder Singh Bath, Neha Khan, Varinderpal Singh Khalsa, Avinash Kumar Surat, National Awardee Rakesh Kumar, Darbara Singh Sandhu, Darshan Singh Gill, Amarjit Singh and Sarabjit Singh Saba.