I record with deep regrets the passing away of well-known Indian athletics coach Ken O. Bosen.
The 74-year-old Bosen expired in the early hours of Wednesday, 16 February 2005 at his Patiala residence following cardiac arrest.
Bosen was highly regarded among his professionals throughout the World and had conducted several IAAF workshops.
After his schooling in the Anglo-Indian schools of Stanes (Coimbatore) and Doveton Corrie (Madras) Bosen became a well-known javelin thrower at national level and had the distinction of the first Indian to throw over 200 feet or 60 metres.
He was among the first batch of coaches trained in the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) at Patiala. He had visited the United States by an invitation of Fred Wilt for a study tour. Bosen earned an advanced diploma from the German Institute of Physical Culture in Leipzig.
He served as the Chief Coach of Indian Railways and of the Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO), Durgapur before joining the faculty of the NSNIS at Patiala and was Chief Athletics Coach for the National Team on several occasions.
The knowledgeable Bosen had written several works on athletics. Noted among them are Training without Straining and Pole Vaulting. He also co-authored with Fred Wilt the Track and Field News bestseller “Motivation and Coaching Psychology”.
Ken Bosen was instrumental for the formation of the Madras-based Don Bosco Athletic Club, one of the oldest track and field clubs in India.
Bosen was honoured by the Government of India with “Dronacharya award” belatedly in 2000.
The funeral of Bosen was held on Thursday, 17 February after a prayer service at Our Lady Fathima Church at Patiala.
Ram. Murali Krishnan for the IAAF
