Uday Deshpande
Shri Uday Deshpande, popular known as ‘Mallakhamb Vishwa Guru’ is the Honorary General Secretary and Chief Coach of 98 years old premier & pioneer Physical Education Institution Shree Samartha Vyayam Mandir, Dadar, for last 42 years. He is also the Founder Director and Honorary Secreatary of Vishwa Mallakhamb Federation, through which he conducted two International Mallakhamb World Championships, in which 15 countries participated. He is instrumental in the formation of National Mallakhamb Federations in different countries. He has also developed the international ‘Rule Book’ of Mallakhamb and conducted International Judging Workshops. He is credited to train over 1000 Mallakhamb enthusiasts from more than 52 countries, and has conducted several Mallakhamb Workshops covering 3 continents Asia, Europe and USA. To popularize and propagate Mallakhamb, under his able leadership, more than 5000 demonstrations were performed in India and many parts of the world. He took Mallakhamb to the doorstep of orphans, delinquents, differently-abled, visually-challenged, enriching their quality of life. He is the key person to Promote Mallakhamb in all Districts of Maharashtra and all States of India and had worked relentlessly for the recognition of Mallakhamb by Govt, of India, Indian Olympic Association and the Railway Ministry of India. His relentless writing on Mallakhamb in many languages to Mallakhamb to masses.
He has mentored 15 Shiv Chhatrapati awardee Players, 3 Shiv Chhatrapati Best Coach Awardees, including one Mallakhamb Arjan award winner. He himself id the recipient of the Shiv Chhatrapati award as an organiser, Dadoji Kondadev Award as a Coach and Lifetime Achievement award by the Government of Maharashtra, along with 50 other National and International awards.
With unflagging zeal, he has rendered more than 50 years of Honorary service to the society. Previously employed with Customs and Central Excise, he retires as Deputy Commissioner in 2013. Event today, at the age of 70, he conducts free Mallakhamb classes at Shree Samartha Vyayam Mandir.