patiala dronacharya awardee athletics coach and mentor of the indian athletics joginder singh saini died at his patiala residence on sunday morning due to agerelated problems he was 90 saini who served as the advisor to the athletics federation of india had a coaching career spanning over 50 years he started his career as an athletics coach in 1954 having served as coach at the national institute of sports since 1961 he was appointed the chief instructor of the then amateur athletics federation of india in 1970 he coached the indian athletic contingent that had won eight gold medals out of 18 medals in the 1978 asian games saini who coached international players including gurbachan singh randhawa and his contemporaries remained the national coach till 2004 after which he joined the afi as an advisor he was awarded the dronacharya award in 1998 a science graduate he took athletics coaching after completing a diploma in physical education and a course in coaching at the national institute of sports under brutus milton and ken doherty in 1954 he started his career under the raj kumari amrit kaur scheme which was later merged with the national institute of sports patialasaini was born on january 1 1930 in hariana a very small village in hoshiarpur district of punjab according to national coach parveer singh who trained under saini during his younger days he competed in hurdles and also played hockey but his love remained athletics and ultimately he took up the sport as a profession almost every top athlete in india in 60s 70s 80s 90s and early 2000 received training and guidance by him in different forms he said expressing grief on his demise the afi said saini was known by everyone whose life he touched he was among the countrys foremost coaches and served the federation as selectors for the national squadsafi president adille sumariwalla said i am truly sad to hear of the passing away of our colleague my chief coach and mentor saini saab he loved athletics and contributed to the athletics federation of india till his last day he was my friend philosopher and guide and helped me immensely in my role as afi president with his sound advice he has left behind a great void which will not easy to fill