AGE is just a number that is bound to increase every passing year. But the more important factor is about the rise in contribution to the society as one gets older. Sanjay ‘Bhau’ Kane, a Dadoji Konddeo Awardee — Maharashtra’s highest honour for a coach (athletics 1992-93), has churned out many athletes who have brought laurels to the State and the nation...and even as he turns 75 on Sunday, he continues to be a guiding light for city’s budding athletes and a spiritual guru to many of his followers. As many as nine of his women proteges went on to represent India at International Cross Country events. His trainees have been dominating long distance running events (marathon and cross country) since 1984 at National level.

 

Vidarbha men and women teams’ kho-kho coach for many national tournaments, Bhau helped Lokanchi Shala thump Pune to lift State KhoKho Championship (School Competition) in 1985. His training skill-set helped him bag the honour of coaching Maharashtra State marathon and cross country teams for three years in 1986, 1987 and 1991. Nagpur University also utilised Bhau’s expertise while he was Member of Nagpur University Sports Council for three years from 1990-92. If he’s in city, he can always be found at Reshimbagh ground early in the morning honing skills of the budding players and providing finer inputs to the senior athletes. Bhau is helping young boys and girls to achieve the right combination of spirituality, intellectual brilliance and mental toughness.

 

A Chartered Accountant, who secured a gold medal in commerce from Nagpur University, completed LLB and served State Bank of India, Bhau has guided scores of commerce, economics, bank jobs and physical education aspirants with success. Bhau was never short on social service front also. Apart from himself donating blood for more than 50 times, he has organised many blood donation camps. He hosted many a social service camp and tree plantation programmes. Bhau took spiritual initiation from his elder brother ‘Dada’ who was his guru also. After his demise, Bhau is carrying on his tradition as an abbot of a monastery on the banks of Narmada.