Vice President Congratulates Panjab University for winning the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad trophy for the year 2020
The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu and Chancellor of Panjab University, Chandigarh called for an urgent revival of sporting culture in India. He said that games and Sports or Yoga or any physical activity must become integral to people’s daily routine for good health and a stress-free life.
Delivering a congratulatory address to Panjab University for winning the coveted Maulana Abul Kalam Azad trophy for the top performing University in sports for a second time in a row for the year 2020, he stressed the need for schools and other educational institutions to actively promote sports and games.
Observing that excellence in sporting comes by relentless hard work coupled with planning and determination, he lauded the coaches, management, staff and students of the Panjab University for achieving sporting excellence along with academic brilliance. It also requires iron clad willpower to become an exceptional sports person with strong body and strong mind. He added that sports and games are crucial parts of our lives; they not only improve physical abilities but also enhance social skills. Participation in sports increases concentration level and develops teamwork. The sports improve the general quality of life and the sports persons can become exceptional human beings with leadership qualities.
Shri Naidu said that sports and games form a crucial part of our lives and they improve our physical fitness, improve our cognitive abilities and in the case of team games, enhance our social skills. Asserting that sports and games help in developing an attitude of equanimity, he said that this balance is essential to accept failures and setbacks without any sense of bitterness, ill-will or grudge.
Expressing concern over the rising incidence of lifestyle diseases in our country, especially among the youth, the Vice President said that it is of paramount importance to make our youngsters aware of the dangers of unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle.
He lauded the “Fit India campaign” initiated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and said that it would definitely encourage people to stay fit and healthy.
Stressing the need to identify sporting talent from a young age, he called for the creation of an effective and comprehensive talent monitoring and scouting systems to achieve this objective.
Highlighting the need to upgrade sporting infrastructure in the country, especially in rural areas, Shri Naidu also called for creating a large pool of home grown, highly skilled Indian coaches. Coaches play an important role, he added.
Urging more colleges and universities to offer degrees and diplomas in sports management, he also wanted the creation of a pool of highly skilled sports medicine experts and practitioners to improve the performance of our sportspersons.
He underscored the importance of investing more resources in areas in which India has competitive advantage. Terming sports persons as our national pride, he expressed confidence that with diligent hard work, India will go on to win many more accolades in international sporting events. “We have no dearth of talent in this country. What we need is stronger support systems”, he observed.
Earlier, Prof. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor, PU extended his warm welcome to the Hon’ble Vice President of India. He added that PU has a long tradition of achieving excellence in all spheres of education apart from brining laurels in sports. He informed that PU is delighted to have received prestigious MAKA trophy second time in a row and the credit goes to the hardwork of coaches and players. PU also created history by emerging Champions in Ist-Ever Khelo India University Games held in March 2020.
PU senior officials, Director Sports along with the officials of Sports Departments, the Coaches and the Awardees were present at the occasion.
