You are highly educated, and a qualified sprinter. Many children who are fond of sports find themselves neglecting their studies to pursue their extra-curricular interests. How did you manage your love for sport and studies when young?
Sport was a hobby for me, not really my main goal in life. I did aspire to achieve the maximum in athletics, but one must have a career to make a living, unlike today where sports shell out millions to superstars who have no need for another job. Since I loved to travel, I did contemplate joining the travel industry, which I finally did.
You are remembered as the undisputed fastest human in Pakistan for a decade. Tell me, was this something you always aspired towards? What were some of your other aspirations?
I started running when at school. On noticing that I had the talent to go further, the school and later St Patrick’s College encouraged me to join the Karachi Athletics Association’s training camps. Thus, my venture into more serious training got off to a start.
How were you discovered and how did the 1965’s National Games happen for you?
The National Games of 1965 were held in Lahore. Since I came second in the 100-metre sprint, where the winner was a German athlete Gert Metz, I became the fastest Pakistani.
They say sports are more of a mental exercise than a physical one. How much do you agree to this?
I don’t agree. You cannot win if your body is not in good shape. As for mental, that works fine for chess, bridge etc.
“Never take your victories for granted. Resting on your laurels only gets you nostalgia, not results”
What used to go through your mind when a race began? How did you clear your head?
The 100-metre sprint is a very sensitive event. A split second’s delay and you are finished. Therefore, staying cool is a very major factor. Once the starter gun sounds, there is no time to think. Just go all out, eyes on the finish line!
You won a gold medal for Sindh in the 400 metres relay at the National Games at Dacca in 1968. You have represented Pakistan in a number of international events including the Olympics. What, according to you, has been your biggest achievement till date? How did your achievements change you personally and professionally?
The relay victory was one of my most memorable, as we were the first team in the history of Pakistan to break the Army’s monopoly in this event. Just taking part in the Olympics would be one of my bigger achievements. It did not change me professionally as in those days there was no money offered.
Why did you give up this passion of yours altogether? Why didn’t you open up a coaching centre for aspiring athletes in Pakistan or stay connected to the sport in whichever way you could?
One cannot run forever. Age catches up, especially for the sprint races. Athletics is a very neglected sport here, hence opening a coaching centre would have been an exercise in futility.
Why isn’t there any passion among our current generation for sprinting? How can this sport be promoted in Pakistan?
This is the responsibility of the Athletic Federation, whose officials only seem interested in joy rides.
What is your vision for Pakistan? What does it mean to be Pakistan for you?
I am proud to be a Pakistani and to have donned the green blazer. As for my vision for athletics in Pakistan, I am very pessimistic. Vision needs hope, and the situation seems hopeless for now.
What used to be your fitness routine? How much of that fitness routine do you still follow?
Some jogging in the mornings to warm up, followed by training on the tracks in the evenings. Today, I go to the Agha Khan Gymkhana for a few rounds of jogging and exercises.
What did you learn the hard way in this profession?
I learned that complacency can be a very negative factor. Never take your victories for granted. Resting on your laurels only gets you nostalgia, not results.
Who were/are some of your most favourite sprinters?
My favourite sprinters were Armin Gary, the first man to clock 10 seconds flat in the 100-metre sprint, Livio Berruti, Bob Hayes and Henry Carr.
We, at Daily Times, consider you one of our national heroes. Who are some of yours?
Among my national heroes, these include the late Abdul Khalid and hurdler Ghulam Raziq.
Achievements
Undisputed Fastest Human In Pakistan
From 1964 to 1974, gold-winning Olympian John Permal was the undisputed fastest human in Pakistan. John Permal first became Pakistan’s fastest man at the 1965 National Games in Lahore, where he actually finished second. He retained the 100m fastest-man-in-Pakistan title in Rawalpindi in 1967, at Dhaka in 1968, at Karachi in 1970, at Nawabshah in 1971, and again in Lahore for the last time in 1973. His best time came in 1969 at a Bonn athletics meet where he clocked 10.4 seconds for the 100 metres event.
Gold-winning Athlete
The biggest triumph of his athletic career was the gold medal that he won for Sindh in the 400 metres relay at the National Games at Dacca in 1968.
International Star
During the pinnacle of his career, the international press considered him to be one of the most feared sprinters from this part of the world. He represented Pakistan with distinction at two Asian Games, both at Bangkok, in 1966 and 1970, and the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in 1970. Permal also represented Pakistan at the Munich Olympics in 1972.