During the ceremony, Prof. Vig emphasised the university's goal of reclaiming the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.

Rs 1.67 Crore Reward: Panjab University Honours over 160 Champions Across 15 Disciplines 

Panjab University (PU) celebrated its sporting excellence on Wednesday by distributing cash awards totalling Rs 1.67 crore to athletes who secured top positions at the Khelo India University Games in Rajasthan. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Renu Vig felicitated over 160 sportspersons, along with their coaches and managers, across 15 different disciplines.

In a standout performance, Pushpa Yadav emerged as the top individual earner, securing Rs 3.63 lakh for her success in kayaking and canoeing. She was followed closely in the same category by Nikki and Alpana Sahni, who received Rs 3.33 lakh and Rs 3.03 lakh, respectively. 

Shooting remained a dominant force for the university; Simranpreet Kaur Brar from Dashmesh Girls College, Badal, claimed Rs 2.74 lakh, while Olympic medallist Sarabjot Singh and Manya Mittal each received Rs 2.84 lakh. Additionally, Olympian Raiza Dhillon was awarded Rs 1.99 lakh for her gold in women’s skeet.

In other combat sports, Mehak Singh (Judo) and Akshay Kumar (Boxing) both took home Rs 1.99 lakh for their respective gold medals. During the ceremony, Prof. Vig emphasised the university's goal of reclaiming the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy. She also announced a "student-first" policy, promising a sympathetic approach toward athletes facing academic conflicts between exams and competitions, ensuring that their sporting dedication does not hinder their education.

Source: The Tribune