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The induction of C Kunalan into
the Hall of Fame at a glittering and glamorous event on the 11 January
2002 was probably overdue. But ask the man himself about his status, a
man who is the epitome of humility, and one might dare believe that
others are more deserving. Not so.
The Minister for Community Development
and Sports, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi presented seven awards at the
Fullerton Hotel during a night of emotion and reflection. The regal
procession down the stairs to the decorated ballroom was a prelude to
a highly personalised display of sentiment and passion -
characteristics that do not come easily in this particular type of
public and social life in Singapore.
The assembled dignitaries, friends,
family members and most significantly the other heroes and heroines of
past and present were enraptured by the glittering array of talent
that modestly acknowledged the contributions of others as significant
in their achievement of fame.
 C
Kunalan (right) with the Guest-of-Honour, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi at the
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
The programme described the affable Kunalan as a
sprint icon, one who was an ideal role model for athletes. The
soft-spoken Kunalan then thanked his mentors and his peers but most
importantly he singled out his wife. Before she married him, Chong
Yoong Yin herself, had been a national sprinter. The ultimate role
model spoke of the responsibility that goes with commitment to sport.
He had learned from his own coaches Tan Eng Yoon and Yap Boon Chuan,
that you should always be there for the athlete - come rain or shine.
Kunalan made rapid progress in track when he first
started in 1963. Tan Eng Yoon, then National Coach, commented at the
time that the most improvement shown by any athlete had been displayed
by C Kunalan, who after only five months of training had returned
times of 10.9 seconds, 22.3 seconds, and 50.9 seconds for the 100m,
200m, and 400m respectively. He was clearly a good prospect for the
future. But it was in the relay that he first made his name. That year
at the Malaysia Sports Festival at Kuala Lumpur, Kunalan, together
with Cedric Monteiro, Wong Fey Wan, and Low Sin Chock, completed the
sprint relay in a new Singapore National Record, and a Malayan
All-Comers Record time of 42.0 seconds.
Competitive athletics provided ups and downs. An
Olympian the following year in Tokyo, again in the relay, but this
time with the legendary Mani Jegathesan, he played his part in
creating new records. The Asian Games of 1966, two years later, were
bitter-sweet for Kunalan - a silver medallist failing minutely to oust
his rival and friend Jega in Bangkok. At the Mexico Games in 1968, a
new national record that remained untouched until 2001. Injury and
imposed retirement at the end of 1970 brought Kunalan into coaching.
This was the place, which contributed just as much to his growing
reputation as a role model as did the times he had produced on the
track.
For many people, this might have proved sufficient,
but for Kunalan the drive to compete remained and so he returned to
the competitive scene and extended his active career until 1979. Even
then, injury not age was to draw the line on his career.
Today, most admirers and colleagues recognise that
the altruism of Kunalan has been his hallmark. As a teacher, then as a
lecturer at College of Physical Education, and right through to his
current position in Physical Education & Sports Science (PESS), NIE,
Kunalan has demonstrated the ultimate characteristics of caring,
benevolence and self-transcendence. He may not be the first
representative of PESS to be inducted into the Hall of Fame - that
distinction belongs to Naomi Tan - but he will doubtless be the most
highly acclaimed.
Mr C Kunalan believes that excellence in sports performance depends firstly on natural talent. This will involve the athlete's body structure, physical and mental capacities and his/her ability to learn and master sporting skills. But natural abilities/endowments aren't enough to produce successful athletes. These athletes have to be nurtured and here's where the environment plays an important role. Good training facilities, conducive and supportive home environments are but a few of the key factors. It is with this special combination that a successful athlete can emerge and parents, schools, coaches, sports associations, sports administrators, scientists, employers, appreciators and supporters play a part in this production
Pala, a Good Friend of C. Kunalan, used to teach in DSTS:
Link to Pala Obituary
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Name: Cunagasabai Kunalan
