When said in one breath the words sports and senior sound like an oxymoron, but not here at 'Jalsa 2015 - back to the college' where the elderly, thanks to their passion towards sports, puts to shame any youngster hands down.
"I was a good sportsman in college. And thus have played all kinds of sports. But getting to play sports now at this age fells different and great," said Lalit Khanna, after winning top spot in carom and table tennis.
The 66- year old Khanna, who showed a long face knowing that the rules don't permit any individual to play in more than three different sports, added,"Surely old age has taken its toll on my speed. Yet, when you talk about excitement, trust me it has only gone a notch higher."
The two-day event witnessed participation of over 500 senior citizens from Bhiwada, Lavasa and Jaipur. It included sporting events like carom, badminton, table tennis, chess and walking.
"What I am living now is the second inning of my life. And here I am sitting with you wearing my sports gear having a badminton racket in my hand. Not very conventional, right? Actually, sports at this age has helped me to keep the diseases, and consequently medicines at bay," said septuagenarian Dr RD Aggarwal, while cheering his teammates on the field.
Commenting on the innovative event, Ankur Gupta, Joint MD of Ashiana Housing Ltd, who organised it, said, "It's amazing to know what these people can achieve at this age also. They all were practising for the events for some months now. We organise these events at regular interval. But Jashan happens to be the biggest of all and probably the only one of its kind."
Jashan 2015, is the second edition of senior sporting and cultural event. Both the times the championship has been won by the senior residents of Bhiwadi.
