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

GNDU says it gives athletes the best facilities to perform after securing the MAKA Trophy for a record-extending 25th time.

3 min readAmritsarJan 10, 2024 06:24 PM IST

Vice Chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu and Dr Kanwar Mandeep Singh, representing the university’s sports department, received the trophy and a grant of Rs 15 lakh from President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar has won the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy awarded to the country’s top-performing university in sports for a record-extending 25th time.

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.

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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.

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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.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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