Anand Pillay, the youngest of 13 children, grew up in a large family household in Greenwood Park, Durban, where he faced the harsh realities of apartheid. His family was eventually forced to move to Chatsworth due to the Group Areas Act. Pillay attended Greenwood Park State-Aided School and later Sastri College, where he excelled in athletics and became the head boy and school captain of athletics and social events.
Pillay's journey as an athlete began almost by accident when he was called upon as a substitute in the 880-yard race at an inter-house sports event. He went on to win the Natal High School Cross Country Championship in 1971 and recorded a South African record in the 800 meters, clocking 1:59. These achievements spurred him on to face the challenges of apartheid, which denied many talented athletes the opportunity to excel.
Pillay did not confine himself to a single sporting discipline, participating in athletics, football, tennis, squash, and basketball. He attended coaching courses in basketball but found that no facilities were available at schools. Determined to improve conditions, he served for five years on the Durban Sports Ground Association, which aimed to improve sporting opportunities for marginalized communities.
Pillay also remembered the discrimination faced by talented athletes who were denied access to the Kings Park tartan track. Under the supervision of Moon Govender, athletes resorted to using a roller to prepare the track themselves for events. Despite these challenges, Pillay's determination extended beyond the local community, and he recalled an instance where the owner of Victory Lounge sponsored three athletes with air tickets to Cape Town to compete in an inter-athletic meeting.
Pillay's involvement in road running began during his high school years and continued as a means of keeping fit. He credits Rajendra Chetty of D'Alberton Callies, who founded the Natal Road Running Association, for helping to develop road running in the province. Pillay soon established himself as a formidable distance runner, winning the 20km Chatsworth Marathon and the 42km Milk Walk in Chatsworth.
One of Pillay's most memorable achievements came in 1972 when he won the Gold Top Stanger-to-Durban race in a time of 5 hours and 43 minutes. The occasion coincided with a cup final between Berea and Manning Rangers in the Federation Professional League, adding to the atmosphere at the famous Durban sporting venue. For Pillay, the standing ovation from an estimated 25,000 spectators remains one of the treasured memories of his sporting career.
Pillay's contribution to sport eventually moved beyond competition and into administration. He served as president of the Amateur Athletic Association of KwaZulu-Natal and as vice-president of the South African Amateur Athletic Board. In 1992, he participated in International Amateur Athletic Federation meetings in Cape Town and Johannesburg concerning South Africa's possible readmission to the Olympic Games. His commitment to developing young people has continued throughout his life, working with thousands of young people across South Africa.
Key points
- Anand Pillay's life has been defined by determination, sport, education, and service, spanning over four decades.
- Pillay faced numerous challenges due to apartheid, including limited access to sporting facilities and opportunities.
- Despite these challenges, Pillay achieved great success in various sports, including athletics and road running, and made significant contributions to the development of young people in South Africa.
