Senior citizens defy age at Punjab Games: 87-yr-old wins Gold, 82-yr-old takes two; Mother-in-law daugther-in-law due also competes
Kamaljeet Sandhu
Barnala, October 4, 2026: The spirit of senior citizens took centre stage at the district-level competitions of ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ Season 4, being held at Baba Kala Mehar Stadium in Barnala.
At 87, Chhajju Ram emerged as one of the highlights of the sporting event by winning a gold medal in the long jump.
Not to be outdone, 82-year-old Surinder Kumar also displayed remarkable sporting enthusiasm, winning gold medals in both the 400-metre and 800-metre races.
The participation of senior citizens added a special dimension to the district-level competitions, with the athletes demonstrating that age need not come in the way of staying active and participating in sports.
The event also witnessed a heartwarming display of sporting spirit across generations. A mother-in-law won a gold medal, while her daughter-in-law secured a bronze medal, with the two taking part in the competitions together.
The participation of the elderly athletes and the two-generation duo drew considerable attention at the stadium.
The senior participants said that age should not be considered a barrier to sports or physical activity. Their participation also served as a message to young people and other senior citizens to remain physically active and stay connected with sports.
The performances of 87-year-old Chhajju Ram, 82-year-old Surinder Kumar and the mother-in-law-daughter-in-law pair became a major attraction at the Barnala stadium, reflecting the enthusiasm for sports across generations.