The Sports Authority of India did not grant Olympian Bahadur Singh a contract extension due to the on-going situation. Mr. Singh resigned from his post in the wake of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ advisory that restricts movement of senior citizens. This means that his 25-year reign as that chief coach of Indian athletics has come to an end.
Bahadur Singh, 74, is a former Asian Games shot put gold medallist. He saw his finest moment in his career as chief coach in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. India won 20 medals, 8 of which were gold.
“We will always remember the immense contribution Bahadur made, first as a shot putter of repute and then as chief coach since February 1995,” Adille Sumariwalla, the president of the Athletics Federation of India, said. “The COVID-19 outbreak forced the postponement of Tokyo 2020. He resigned in the wake of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ advisory restricting movement of senior citizens.”