In 1981, when Jessie Dosanjh arrived in Canada from India, he left behind not just his home, but also the rhythm of his life. Sports always ran in the family. His father played volleyball, his brothers excelled in track and field, and Jessie himself had competed at the university level in both volleyball and track. But the move meant starting over to focus on building a new life. “I had to survive,” he says simply. “So, I stopped competing. But something was missing.”
That missing spark would eventually become Universal Athletics Club (UAC), a name now synonymous with discipline, excellence, and heart. What began as a modest dream among three coaches—Jessie, his brother, and legendary Indian coach Juginder Singh Tiger—has grown into one of BC’s most respected track and field programs, celebrating 25 years this year.
The early days were far from glamorous. Jessie remembers training his first athletes — his son and niece — with no funding, no equipment, and no facility. “We started behind the gurdwara on Scott Road,” he recalls. “We even used the basement of a banquet hall to train. It wasn’t fancy, but we had something that was most important - passion.” That passion fueled everything that came next. On March 20, 2000, at 5:45 AM, UAC held its first official practice at the northwest corner of Bear Creek Park. Jessie still remembers the exact time. “It was a dream taking shape,” he says. “And we never looked back.”
From those humble beginnings, UAC has produced athletes who have competed at the provincial, national, and international levels. Among them is Jasneet Nijjar, the first South Asian female athlete outside of India to represent track and field at two Olympic Games. “She started training with us when she was nine years old,” Jessie says, his pride unmistakable. “To see her wear that maple leaf, it’s beyond words.” Another UAC athlete, Sabrina Nettey, went on to represent Canada at the World Youth Championships and now coaches at the University of Regina. Over the years, Jessie has coached more than 40 athletes who’ve competed internationally and helped more than 25 secure university scholarships worth millions collectively.
For Jessie, coaching has never just been about medals. It’s about molding people. “A coach isn’t just a coach,” he says. “You have to be a teacher, a friend, a psychologist, a father figure. You’re shaping character, not just performance.” That philosophy is at the heart of UAC’s success, creating athletes who carry lessons of discipline and perseverance long after they leave the track.
Twenty-five years later, Jessie still wakes up before dawn to coach—rain or shine. “For some people, it’s coffee. For me, it’s the track. That’s my addiction,” he says with a laugh.
As Universal Athletics Club marks its 25th anniversary, Jessie reflects not with nostalgia, but with renewed purpose. “Sports gave us everything,” he says. “So, we gave back.” And in every stride, every starting block, and every young athlete finding their rhythm on the track, that legacy continues to run strong.