MOHALI/CHANDIGARH, 3 January 2024:– Chandigarh University has made a significant mark in the history of Indian sports by becoming the first private university in the country to win the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (Maka Trophy) for excellence in sports.
This achievement is a witness to the university’s relentless pursuit of athletic excellence, which has resulted in an impressive sports record in just 12 years.
The university will receive the Maka Trophy from President Draupadi Murmu on January 17, 2025, during the prize distribution ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. In addition to the trophy, Chandigarh University will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh.
At the same event, Sanjay, a BA student and international hockey player at Chandigarh University, will be honored with the Arjuna Award. Sanjay, who was a key member of the Indian hockey team that secured a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, will be recognized for his outstanding contribution to sports.
This prestigious victory ensures that the Maka Trophy stays in Punjab, with Chandigarh University securing the top spot ahead of other contenders. Lovely Professional University (LPU) has been declared the first runner-up, while Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has secured the second runner-up position.
In 2023-24, Chandigarh University athletes made an outstanding impact by winning 134 medals in national and international competitions.
A significant achievement was the university’s contribution to India’s total medal tally at the 2023 Asian Games, where Chandigarh University athletes clinched 8 gold and 2 bronze medals, part of the 107 medals India won at the Games. With 22 athletes in the 653-member Indian contingent, CU had the largest representation among Indian universities.
The university also excelled at the Khelo India University Games 2024, winning 71 medals, including 32 gold, 18 silver, and 21 bronze.
Chandigarh University remains committed to developing sports talent, with a budget allocation of Rs 8.5 crore in 2024 for athlete scholarships, which includes the Major Dhyan Chand Scholarship worth Rs 3.84 crore.
Currently, 1183 students, including 562 women, are availing sports scholarships at the university. The scholarship covers expenses related to coaching, training facilities, accommodation, food, and sports kits, ensuring that athletes have everything they need to succeed on the national and international stages.
Chandigarh University Chancellor and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Satnam Singh Sandhu, expressed immense pride over the university’s remarkable achievement. “This award is a reflection of our commitment to excellence in sports and our belief in the power of sports to bring national pride,” Sandhu said. “
Chandigarh University has reached this milestone due to the hard work and dedication of our students and athletes, as well as the tireless efforts of our world-class faculty and sports staff.”
Sandhu also accentuated the significance of sports policy reforms under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He noted that in the past decade, the budget for sports has been doubled, and the Khelo India initiative has spurred a new wave of athletic participation at the grassroots level.
“Through PM Modi’s vision and initiatives, we are witnessing a massive change in India’s sports landscape. We are now more determined than ever to help make India one of the top 10 sporting nations globally,” he added.
Chandigarh University’s victory at the Maka Trophy marks a significant chapter in India’s sporting evolution, reflecting how dedication, support for young athletes, and a strong institutional framework are driving sporting excellence on the global stage.
