John Permal
Encyclopedia
John Permal was born in Karachi
, Pakistan, on May 31, 1946. He got his primary education from St. Anthony’s School in Karachi, and then St. Patrick’s from where he completed school. Permal used to sprint from his home in Saddar
, Karachi, to his school, Saint Patrick's
every morning. He received a bachelor’s degree in Commerce in 1966.
From 1964 to 1974 John Permal was the undisputed fastest human in Pakistan
. P. John Permal first became Pakistan’s fastest man at the 1965 National Games in Lahore
, where he actually finished second. He retained the 100m fastest-man-in-Pakistan title in Rawalpindi
in 1967, at Dhaka
in 1968, at Karachi in 1970, at Nawabshah
in 1971, and again in Lahore for the last time in 1973. His best time came in 1969 at a Bonn
athletics meet where he clocked 10.4 seconds for the 100 metres event.
The biggest triumph of his athletic career was the gold medal that he won for Sindh in the 400 metres relay at the National Games at Dacca in 1968. During the pinnacle of his career, the international press considered him to be one of the most feared sprinters from this part of the world. He represented Pakistan with distinction at two Asian Games
, both at Bangkok
, in 1966 and 1970, and the Commonwealth Games
in Edinburgh
in 1971. Permal also represented Pakistan at the Munich Olympics in 1972.
Having retired from sprinting in 1974, Permal took up a position with a travel agent in Saudi Arabia
. Between 1976 and 1994 Permal dedicated himself to the travel trade doing airline ticketing and reservations. Permal married Josephine in 1978 and they have three children.
Permal returned to Pakistan in 1994.
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
, Pakistan, on May 31, 1946. He got his primary education from St. Anthony’s School in Karachi, and then St. Patrick’s from where he completed school. Permal used to sprint from his home in Saddar
Saddar
Saddar is one of the neighbourhoods of Saddar Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Saddar is the central business district of Karachi. 'Saddar' generally means 'centre' and also 'head' ....
, Karachi, to his school, Saint Patrick's
Saint Patrick's High School, Karachi
St Patrick's High School, located in Saddar Town in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, is one of the oldest educational institutions in Pakistan. The principal is Fr. Joseph Paul and vice principal Fr. Nobert Mendonca.- History :...
every morning. He received a bachelor’s degree in Commerce in 1966.
From 1964 to 1974 John Permal was the undisputed fastest human in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. P. John Permal first became Pakistan’s fastest man at the 1965 National Games in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
, where he actually finished second. He retained the 100m fastest-man-in-Pakistan title in Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi , locally known as Pindi, is a city in the Pothohar region of Pakistan near Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad, in the province of Punjab. Rawalpindi is the fourth largest city in Pakistan after Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad...
in 1967, at Dhaka
Dhaka
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the principal city of Dhaka Division. Dhaka is a megacity and one of the major cities of South Asia. Located on the banks of the Buriganga River, Dhaka, along with its metropolitan area, had a population of over 15 million in 2010, making it the largest city...
in 1968, at Karachi in 1970, at Nawabshah
Nawabshah
Nawabshah , or Shaheed Benazirabad, is a district in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is headquarter of Shaheed Benazir Abad District...
in 1971, and again in Lahore for the last time in 1973. His best time came in 1969 at a Bonn
Bonn
Bonn is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located in the Cologne/Bonn Region, about 25 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of united Germany from 1990 to 1999....
athletics meet where he clocked 10.4 seconds for the 100 metres event.
The biggest triumph of his athletic career was the gold medal that he won for Sindh in the 400 metres relay at the National Games at Dacca in 1968. During the pinnacle of his career, the international press considered him to be one of the most feared sprinters from this part of the world. He represented Pakistan with distinction at two Asian Games
Asian Games
The Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
, both at Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, in 1966 and 1970, and the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1971. Permal also represented Pakistan at the Munich Olympics in 1972.
Having retired from sprinting in 1974, Permal took up a position with a travel agent in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
. Between 1976 and 1994 Permal dedicated himself to the travel trade doing airline ticketing and reservations. Permal married Josephine in 1978 and they have three children.
Permal returned to Pakistan in 1994.