In the vast landscape of Indian athletics, where victories are often glorified and medals celebrated, the silent architects behind those achievements often go unnoticed. One such name is Dr. Chellappan Ajithkumar, better known as Dr. C. Ajithkumar—a visionary athletic coach, a seasoned educator, and a relentless mentor who has transformed potential into performance for over two decades.
Born in 1972 in the serene village of Thrickodithanam in Kottayam District, Kerala, Dr. Ajithkumar’s tryst with sports began early. A former sprinter himself, he represented Mahatma Gandhi University (MG University), Kottayam, as a junior national medalist in the 100m and 200m events and an All India University medalist between 1987 and 1992. He pursued both his pre-degree and degree courses at the prestigious SB College, Changanacherry. His experience as a competitive athlete laid a solid foundation for a lifelong commitment to sports education and coaching.
But Dr. Ajithkumar’s real impact emerged when he transitioned from track to training. Over a span of 25+ years, he has coached athletes across some of India’s leading institutions, including:
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Alva’s Education Foundation, Moodabidri, Karnataka
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Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Science University (IGTMS), Arunachal Pradesh
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Mangalore University, where he served as a team coach from 2017 to 2024
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Shaheed Bhagat Singh University, where he currently serves as Director of Sports
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HRDS India, where he leads as the Chief Project Director of the Sports Academy
As a coach, his achievements are unparalleled. In 2023, history was made at the World University Athletic Championship in Chengdu, China, when his student Bhavani Yadav Bhagavathi secured a medal in the Long Jump—marking India’s first-ever medal in the event at the global university level. Despite this monumental milestone, Dr. Ajithkumar laments the lack of recognition: no awards, no rewards, not even a memento to honor the breakthrough.
His coaching repertoire is extensive:
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Guided Nayana James to an Asian medal in Long Jump (6.55 meters) after just four months of training, ranking top in Asia in 2017 and 2018
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Trained over 18 international athletes, resulting in 22 international medals
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Mentored top athletes such as Clinton Jackson, S S Sneha, K. Ranga, Jijin Vijayan, Likhin Sali, Rintu Mathew, Stalin Jose, Uma Maheswari, Ali Ansari, and Rajesh
Major Coaching Assignments:
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Chief Coach, Indian Team – World University Championship, Chengdu (2023)
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Indian Team Coach – Asian Track and Field Meet, Bhubaneswar (2017)
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Chief Coach – Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Delhi (2018–2020)
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Coach – World Police Games, China (2019)
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Kerala State Athletics Team Coach (2011 and 2015)
Awards and Recognitions:
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Sports Science India Best Coach Award (2024)
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Indian University Best Coach Award (2023)
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Amaruthavani Media Award, Karnataka (2023)
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SSB Best Coach Award, Central Police Department (2019)
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Kerala State Athletic Association Best Coach Award (2017)
One of the most emotionally significant moments of his career came on December 20, 2023, when he was invited to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, along with the medal-winning athletes of the World University Meet, to be felicitated by the President of India. Recalling the moment, he stated, “This recognition is the most prestigious accolade I have received in my life.”
And yet, in the shadows of that honor lingers a painful question—Why has India not formally acknowledged this man’s lifelong service to its sporting legacy?
Despite building champions, representing the country across continents, and elevating India’s international athletic standing, Dr. C. Ajithkumar has not been nominated or awarded with any of the nation’s highest coaching honors, including the Dronacharya Award.
This is more than a story of personal merit—it is a case for national conscience.
Isn’t it time we recognize the man behind the medals?
Isn’t it time India honors Dr. C. Ajithkumar—not just with applause, but with official acknowledgment?
