When 25-year-old Gurindervir Singh from Patial village in Bhogpur, Jalandhar, blazed across the finish line in a sensational 10.09 seconds to create a new national record in the men’s 100m, the country celebrated the rise of India’s fastest man. But behind that electrifying sprint lies a story of sacrifice, struggle and a father’s unwavering belief.
For Kamaljit Singh, a retired ASI and former volleyball player, Saturday’s historic moment was not just about a record, it was the reward for years of silent sacrifices.
“Badi jaldi ohne mere jinni speed fad layi, bahut furtila si (He very quickly matched my speed; he was extremely agile from the beginning),” Kamaljit recalled with pride, remembering the first time he took a young Gurindervir to the ground and noticed something extraordinary in his speed.
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Today, his phone refuses to stop ringing. Friends, relatives and well-wishers continue to call and congratulate the father whose son has sprinted into Indian athletics history. The journey, however, was never easy.
Back when Gurindervir was in Class VI, his first coach Sarwan Singh had told Kamaljit with confidence: “Eh munda India da top da player banega (This boy will become one of India’s top players).” Those words stayed with the father forever.
“Coaches told me I would have to spend money if I wanted him to become a player. I was ready to do anything, even beyond my means,” Kamaljit said.
Every day, young Gurindervir travelled long hours by bus for training and returned home exhausted in the evening. When Gurindervir told him he was not getting enough time to rest, Kamaljit bought him a second-hand scooty for Rs 5,000 so he could save time and recover better.
When the old scooty started troubling him, especially because of its kick-start, the father did not think twice. Despite financial pressure, he purchased a new one on instalments, only to ensure his son’s dream never slowed down.
The sacrifices did not end there. After moving from their village near Bhogpur to Jalandhar in search of better facilities and coaching, Kamaljit ensured Gurindervir stayed in a decent room without any discomfort.
“All those sacrifices were for my son,” he said emotionally. “And today he has made me proud like this. What more could I ask from life?”
Kamaljit also credited the coaches who stood firmly beside his son during difficult years, especially coach Sarabjeet Singh Happy at Jalandhar Arts and Sports College, who helped shape Gurindervir into a champion sprinter.
He also said despite his son reaching this level, the Punjab Government had not given him a job. “The government must give him a job,” he said. Now, even with the national record under his belt, one dream still remains in the father’s heart. “I just want to see him win an Olympic medal for India,” Kamaljit said.
The moment Gurindervir finished the race, he pulled out a message written on a page that read: “Task is not finished yet. 10.10 seconds, wait I am still standing.” He had completed the race in 10.09 seconds.
The gesture reflected not just confidence, but years of dedication, discipline and the mindset of a champion.
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Jalandhar: Behind India’s fastest man Gurindervir Singh, a father’s years of sacrifice
