UK’s Loughborough University launches scholarship for sporting excellence for Indian students

The 5-Year scholarship commits GBP 12,500 for young athletes training for sporting excellence in non-cricket sports.

Loughborough University has been a training ground for India’s youth sporting icon, Neeraj Chopra. (Source: Loughborough University)

A day after the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony, where India celebrated its medalists, Indian entrepreneur Aman Dhall announced a scholarship in memory of his late father, Virendra Kumar Dhall at UK’s Loughborough University.

This five-year scholarship, valued at GBP 12,500 aims to support Indian students at Loughborough who are either competing at the international level or are on track to represent India in their respective sports.

Loughborough University scholarship for Indian athletes

The Virendra Kumar Dhall Scholarship for Sporting Excellence is designed to empower young Indian athletes who face financial and other obstacles in their pursuit of sporting excellence. Eligible students include those enrolled at Loughborough University at the undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD level, whether studying part-time or full-time.

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This annual scholarship will provide up to £2,500 to help athlete scholars cover essential costs associated with training and competing in high-level sporting events. This includes expenses related to travel for trials, equipment, coaching, nutritional advice, gym memberships, and other necessary resources for performance sports.

Loughborough University has been a training ground for India’s youth sporting icon, Neeraj Chopra, and home to many current and former international sporting icons such as Lord Sebastian Coe, Adam Peaty OBE and Paula Radcliffe MBE.

‘Aman Dhall, who completed his MSc in Sport Management at Loughborough University in 2010-11, established this scholarship to honour his father’s dream of seeing him play for India. Aman faced significant financial challenges early in his sporting career, which hindered his ability to pursue professional sports full-time. Drawing inspiration from his own experiences, Aman is dedicated to supporting the next generation of Indian athletes through this scholarship,’ the official release stated.