Why Punjab’s GNDU is winning MAKA Trophy for sporting excellence again and again

GNDU shooter Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar also received the Arjuna Award in the same function, becoming the 36th athlete from the university to be honoured with this prestigious award. Tomar had won gold medals in both the Asian and World University Games. Para-canoeist Prachi Yadav from the GNDU also received the Arjuna Award.

Established in 1969, GNDU won its first MAKA Trophy in 1977, setting the stage for a string of consecutive victories from 1979 to 1987, 1991 to 94 and 1997 to 2003. It also won in 2006, 2010, 2011, 2018, and 2022.

Secret of GNDU’s success

According to director Kanwar Mandeep Singh, the university’s Department of Sports Science and Medicine, established in collaboration with the Government of India, plays a pivotal role in helping athletes recover from injuries and get them ready to go out there and perform.

“The university has world-class infrastructure and facilities, including multiple sports arenas, training, coaching, and provisions for athletes, resulting in numerous medals for the country in prestigious events like the Asian Games, Tokyo Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and more,” he said.

“The university conducts over 90 inter-college championships and sends more than 70 teams to various all-India inter-university championships,” he added.

He said the university provides athletes with free education and makes arrangements for special exams if they cannot appear for regular exams due to their training. “Adidas provides us with sports kits for players at 50 per cent of the market rate. We arrange good travel facilities for athletes and focus on their diet. We promote the competition in our associated colleges to produce better sports infrastructure and the best players,” he added.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann congratulated the entire university community and the people of Punjab for this achievement. However, his Facebook post also sparked political reactions. Mann termed the GNDU’s success as proof of “prosperous Punjab” that was his political promise. Opposition parties countered saying that the GNDU had won this trophy 24 times in the past also.

MAKA Trophy’s history

The MAKA Trophy is named after Abul Kalam Azad, commonly referred to as Maulana Azad, who was one of the senior leaders of the Indian National Congress and the first education minister of Independent India. Initiated in 1956, the trophy is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to the “overall top performing university” in sporting events over the preceding year.

The trophy acknowledges performance in various arenas like all-India inter-university meets, Khelo India Games and international competitions.

Panjab University in Chandigarh and Punjabi University in Patiala have won the MAKA Trophy 15 and nine times, respectively. Delhi University is another serial winner with 14 MAKA Trophy successes.