The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) appointed its new president on Tuesday at its Annual General Meeting in Chandigarh, as the baton changed hands between the outgoing chief, Adille Sumariwalla, and Sagoo — the 2002 Asian Games gold medallist in shot-put.
The 51-year-old Sagoo, who was also part of the Indian contingent at the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics, came through the ranks as an athlete from AFI’s inaugural junior national camp in 1989-90 and chose to give it back to the sport as an administrator after hanging up his boots.
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Currently a commandant in the Punjab Police, the Jalandhar native’s international journey began in 1992 with a gold medal in discus throw at the Asian Junior Championships in New Delhi, before he transitioned to shot put in 1994.
“The AFI started junior national camps in 1989-90 and I was a product of that initiative. I joined the camp in Patiala and my athletics journey began there. Whatever I have achieved till now is due to athletics,” Sagoo said while talking to PTI.
Lalit Bhanot, who is now the chairman of AFI Planning Commission, introduced the junior programme during his days as the federation’s secretary. Sagoo credits Bhanot for advising him to switch to shot put.
“I won a gold medal in the 1992 Asian Junior Championships in New Delhi. India won medals (seven) in (four) throw events for the first time. Before that China was dominating the throw events. That was the real start of my career,” Sagoo continued.
“At one time I had a junior (U-16) discus throw national record. (Late) Joginder Singh Saini was the junior team coach then. I was studying in class XI in Jalandhar at that time.
“I shifted to shot put in 1994. The technique was the same. Bhanot sir told me to shift to shot put,” he added.
Sagoo grew up in a household where his father ran a factory as an entrepreneur. His introduction to athletics came through his older sibling, a former athlete who currently resides in the USA.
“My elder brother was doing long jump, triple jump and sprint; and I also followed him and wanted to do jumps. But he said ‘you have a big built and so you should go for throws’,” Sagoo recalled.
Despite facing a career-threatening injury during his initial professional journey, he managed to recover successfully.
“I had an injury in 1995, a severe back injury. Doctor told me I can’t continue my athletics career. But the AFI and coaches backed me to continue,” he said.
The best shot-put throw of Sagoo’s career covered a distance of 20.40m. His performance at the 2002 Asian Games earned him a gold medal with a throw of 19.03m.
“My playing career spanned more than 15 years and I never thought I would become AFI president. But here I am as AFI chief. I want to pay back to the sport which made me bring laurels for the country and shaped my life,” said the former athlete.
