PETALING JAYA: To Datuk Zaiton Othman, coach C. Ramanathan was far more than the man who trained and guided her to Asian Games glory.
“He is far more than a mentor; he is a father, a guide and a teacher.
"I owe so much of who I am today to this extraordinary man,” said Zaiton after joining former national athletes V. Angamah and Harbans Kaur in celebrating Ramanathan’s 90th birthday on July 7.
“His unwavering dedication, integrity and selflessness have been the driving force behind everything I have achieved - not only as an athlete but throughout my entire professional career.”
For Zaiton, the birthday celebration was more than a reunion. It was an opportunity to honour the coach whose influence stretched far beyond the running track.
“As a coach, he was a true taskmaster. His training was gruelling and often punishing, yet that was the very crucible in which he forged the best versions of us. We always entered the arena ready to win because he had already prepared us for greatness.
“Beyond the field, he taught me the life values that have anchored me through every challenge I’ve faced.”
The respect Zaiton holds for Ramanathan is shared by many who came under his guidance during Malaysian athletics’ golden era from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Fondly known as Charlie Ramanathan, he earned a reputation as one of the country’s finest athletics coaches, combining technical expertise with an unwavering commitment to developing not only champions but also individuals of character.
His list of successful athletes speaks for itself.
Besides guiding Zaiton to SEA Games and Asian Games success, Ramanathan also coached Asian Games 400m gold medallist Saik Oik Cum, SEA Games champion and record-breaker S. Kesavan, as well as national standouts V. Angamah, Harbans Kaur, Rabia Abdul Salam, Chew Gim Peng, Cheong Yuet Mei, Kam Woei Yann and Ooi Juat Khoon, among many others.
While medals and records defined their achievements on the track, many of his former athletes say his greatest lessons came away from competition.
They remember him as a demanding disciplinarian who insisted on excellence, but also as a father figure who continued to guide and encourage them long after their competitive careers had ended.
Even at 90, Ramanathan remains deeply cherished by the athletes whose lives he helped shape, with many crediting him for laying the foundation not only for their sporting success but also for their achievements in life.
As she paid tribute to the man she still calls “Coach”, Zaiton summed up the sentiments of an entire generation.
“Happy 90th Birthday, Coach. I wish you continued health, a sharp mind and endless joy. You have given so much of yourself to so many. May the Almighty bless you with a reward that truly matches the magnitude of your kindness.”
