Basking in the glory of veteran athlete ‘Bebe Man Kaur’

Gagan K Teja

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Tribune News Service

Patiala, August 9

Taking pride in the achievements of veteran Indian athlete, Man Kaur, Punjabi University’s physical education department today organised an interactive session with Bebe Man Kaur and her son Gurdev Singh.

Head of the department Prof Nishan Singh Deol and other staff members honoured Man Kaur and her son for their achievements at the international level.

Having started running at the age of 93, Bebe Man Kaur has won over 20 medals in 100 m, 200 m and 400 m. She has also pocketed gold medals in the US and Canada. She is popularly known as ‘Bebe Man Kaur.’

Running against time, Man Kaur went on to improve her own world record in 100 m in the 100 plus age category to grab a gold medal during the 17th World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand, in April.

The lone participant in the 100 plus age category, Man Kaur, who hails from Chandigarh, clocked 1.14 minutes against her previous timing of 1.21 minutes that she had set during Vancouver Masters Games last year to set a new record. Her son Gurdev Singh has also won a silver medal in long jump and a bronze medal in 100 m in the 75-79 age category to make the country proud.

Professor Deol said Man Kaur, along with Gurdev, had been undergoing training in Patiala since the past eight months. The department had provided them free accommodation on the university campus and training infrastructure in order to help them continue their sports training. Moreover, during this period, the duo used to hold special sessions with sportspersons to motivate them for a healthy lifestyle and stay away from drugs.

‘Bebe Man Kaur’ said the secret to good health was balanced home-cooked food. She advised players to follow a healthy regime religiously. 

Her son Gurdev Singh too thanked Punjabi University for extending support, hoping that master athletes would be provided better facilities in the future.

Fact file

• Having started running at the age of 93, Bebe Man Kaur has won over 20 medals in 100 m, 200 m and 400 m. She has also pocketed gold medals in the US and Canada. She is popularly known as ‘Bebe Man Kaur.’
• Running against time, Man Kaur went on to improve her own world record in 100 m in the 100 plus age category to grab a gold medal during the 17th World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand, in April.
• The lone participant in the 100 plus age category, Man Kaur, who hails from Chandigarh, clocked 1.14 minutes against her previous timing of 1.21 minutes that she had set during Vancouver Masters Games last year to set a new record.