JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, where the athletics meet will be held on October 2. Picture by Bhola Prasad

The three — ah well, four — Khans in their 40s will surely agree to disagree on this. One doesn’t know what a certain Mr Tendulkar, who reached the 40-year landmark this year, would say.

Sportspersons aged 40 and above have been invited to take part in an athletics meet in Jamshedpur on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, but as part of International Day of Older Persons, celebrated globally on October 1.

At a time when 40 is the new 30, the “older” tag may cause many trendy and trim 40-somethings to raise their eyebrows.

But as a fitness idea, the two-and half-hour event — between 3pm and 5.30pm — at JRD Tata Sports Complex gives the city’s veteran men and women players a chance to prove their mettle again with a motto “Be Fit and Be Happy”.

International Day of Older Persons is celebrated by raising awareness of issues affecting the elderly such as senescence (ageing) and related abuse, as well as by appreciating their contributions to society.

Veterans will run, throw and jump during the meet organised by Jamshedpur Veteran Sports Club, with help from Tata Steel sports department.

Fun and games apart, stalwarts such as Charles Borromeo, Bagicha Singh, Basant Singh, Jujhar Singh, Gurbari Hembram, N.C. Deb, Saroj Lakra, Arun Dutta, Satnam Singh, Om Pal, Pritpal Saini and B. Marandi will be honoured.

“The meet is the third get-together of our club. We’re looking forward to it,” Avinash Kumar, senior functionary of the sports club and former Bihar Ranji skipper, said.

Age groups and events have been classified differently for men and women.

Men can compete in the age groups of 40-50 (800m race, shot put, long jump), 50-60 (400m run and walk, long jump), 60-70 (400m race, shot put) and 70-plus (200m run and walk, handball).

Women can show their mettle in age groups of 40-50 (200m run and walk and shot put) and 50-60 (50m needle-and-thread race, ping pong ball throw). A little tame, perhaps, for the more adventurous ladies.

“A participant will be allowed to contest in any one event earmarked for each group,” Kumar said, adding those interested could call him up on 08092088356 or 09431380373. “You can also call up J. Behera (09031352082), Gautam Acharjee (09431172386), Surjit Singh (09279552635) and Suchinder Singh (09204756385),” he said.

Each participant will pay Rs 50 as contribution. The first three toppers in each discipline will get prizes.

“We are expecting around 100 participants. We appeal to veteran sportspersons of Jamshedpur to participate in the events,” Kumar added.