Panjab University to lift MAKA trophy after 14 years

CHANDIGARH: Winning positions in shooting and water sports in all India inter-university tournaments primarily contributed to Panjab University (PU) receiving the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) trophy for the 2018-19 session after a gap of 14 years.
PU vice-chancellor (VC) Prof Raj Kumar said the university won positions in 31 games out of 37 during the international and inter-university as well as Khelo games that are counted for MAKA awards.
He said various initiatives taken by the university resulted in it receiving the award. “Summer coaching camps were organized every year. The cash awards given to outstanding sports persons have been increased to about Rs 1.5 crore. The sports infrastructure has also been developed for various sports, such as swimming and shooting,” he said.
The VC added that efforts were being made for having a memorandum of understanding with foreign universities, sports federations and private sports clubs to boost the sports at PU and also to improve future facilities. “Efforts are also being made for the development sports academies, centre of excellence in different games and to establish new Khelo India academies,” he said.
Director of physical education and sports Parminder Singh Ahluwalia said that the varsity improved considerably in terms of points for MAKA awards. “We started improving our points in 2015. In 2016, our points increased by 114 percentage points. The increase continued till we received the award this year,” he added.
Ahluwalia said that efforts were being made for the appointment of new coaches and to create synthetic athletic track, cycling velodrome and archery arena.
The authorities said that as part of the award, the university will get Rs 15 lakh cash from the President on national sports day function scheduled for August 29 in Delhi.