If you are keen and have queries, please contact Coach Rameshon at 9100 4369 or you can email him at m.rameshon@gmail.com or swift.rameshon@gmail.com. Please refer to website http://flexifitness.com.sg (for more information on him and his programmes)
By Rameshon
Bsc (Hons) Degree in Physical Education, Loughborough University (1992-1994)
Masters in Education (University of Western Australia, 2005-2008)
 |
| Haile (right) with me (left) |
During IAAF Level One course held last year December, on one of the days, I had the opportunity to meet Haile Gebreselassie. That was the second time meeting Haile. Earlier, I met him at the hotel that I was having an accommodation, for the London Marathon race, in the year 2007.
 |
| The clinic conducted by Haile |
Haile came to give a talk and to conduct a
short clinic on long-distance running before Stanchart Marathon 2014. I also met Dr Bala, a lecturer from NIE,
famous for developing Physical Education teachers. He is in the Physical
Education Unit. Dr Bala has done 31min 36sec while I have done a 31min 46sec for
10km race. I was appalled to hear from Morales Menon that he does not know
about Dr Bala's achievement when we discussed our job scope.
On one of the day, during the IAAF
course, I met Dr Bala with his athletes. We took a photo together with Haile
and I continued the course. It was a good surprise that we had to work together
during the SEA Games 2015. It was all the Divine's work, I guess.
Later on, in the South East Games held in
Singapore, between 6th and 15th of June 2015, Dr Bala was appointed as the Team
Manager for the athletics team for Singapore. I was named as the official to
take charge of all middle and long-distance athletes. During the SEA Games, Dr
Bala and I used to wake up at 5.30am to take our breakfast and later on proceed
to do our job. We were working busily together hoping to see that there was
no glitch at all.
Our SEA Games duty came and Dr Bala, Morales and I met together to discuss our job scope. The topic went to running and I realised that Morales did not know that Dr Bala was in the first place a runner in the past. I also told Morales, since he was not aware, that Dr Bala was an individual champion for one of the age group championships in the 1980s, and that he was the fastest steeplechase runner of the past. Many now do not know about this. I hope that my blog can serve the purpose to bring to the light of those who were greats of the past. I believe that it is my service to Singapore Athletics to do this.
Upon immediate completion of the SEA
Games, Singapore Athletics decided to give us dinner, in order to acknowledge
our contribution to Singapore Sports. It was a very grand thing but I did not enjoy much
of it, as prefer a simple dinner rather than a
pompous one. I also felt that I was not sitting with my friends whom I am
supposed to sit with. I did not have the chance to sit with Dr Bala on that very day.
 |
| Swift Dinner - Officials and Athletes |
However, my enthusiasm came when we were later invited to join
the Swift Athletes Association Appreciation Dinner for officials and athletes
who took part in the SEA Games 2015. After our chat with some of the people, the
climax came when SWIFT Club started to honour us. I was very surprised to see
that Dr Bala and I were given some encouraging words, such that we felt
humbled by it. Actually, I was not in favour of going to dinner, at first. From now onwards, I think
I shall go. Mr Loh Lin Kok, our president gave us a token of appreciation. It was small but it had a lot of positive meaning to spur us to contribute more to Singapore Athletics. Also, despite his busy schedule Mr Loh Lin Kok made it a point to be present and to
mix cordially with everyone there. He was very friendly towards me and he spoke to me casually.
Mr Loh honoured SEA Games gold medalist
Zhang Guirong (Shot Put - 14.60 metres) and bronze medalist Michelle (High Jump
- 1.81m).
After the Swift Athletes Association
Appreciation Dinner, I felt elated and was full of energy. We
stayed there late and we wanted to stay longer. However, the time was getting
late such that we had to go back home. It was yet another day of discussion on
athletics.
Note:
By Narayanan
Rameshon has taught in Hwa Chong Institution, plus several schools, and Republic Polytechnic as well. He has won many accolades and he was awarded Merit Award for 1991 marathon performance in breaking the national record of Singapore, at that time. He has made 22 male athletes do a marathon in sub-3hrs. He has made 7 female runners do sub-4 hours for the marathon, as well. He was inducted to the ‘Roll of Honour’ by the then College of Physical Education, organised by Singapore Olympic Academy, in 1998, for breaking the National record repeatedly 4 times, till he did 2hr 24min 22sec).
He also has a Coaching group and he trains them on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm at Botanic Gardens. Those interested can call him at 91004369 for coaching assistance, to improve performance. There is also personal training that he does for many in a week. You can e-mail him at swift.rameshon@gmail.com.
