PU Felicitates Khelo India Medallists with Rs 1.67 Crore Cash Awards

Chandigarh, February 11, 2026: Panjab University today felicitated its medal winners of the Khelo India University Games 2025 and distributed cash awards worth Rs 1.67 crore at a ceremony held at the Golden Jubilee Seminar Hall here.
 
PU Vice Chancellor Prof Renu Vig honoured the medallists, including Olympians, coaches and managers across 15 disciplines such as Athletics, Shooting, Judo, Boxing, Kayak and Canoe, Cycling and others.
 
Among the prominent awardees was Olympian shooter Raiza Dhillon, who received Rs 1,99,000 for her gold medal performance in Women’s Skeet, while Simranpreet Kaur Brar secured one of the highest cumulative prizes of Rs 2,74,000 in the 25m Pistol events. In Kayak and Canoe, Pushpa Yadav emerged as the highest cash awardee with a total of Rs 3,63,000, followed by Nikki with Rs 3,33,000 and Alpana Sahni with Rs 3,03,000. In Shooting, Olympic medallist Sarabjot was awarded Rs 2,84,000, and Manya Mittal also received Rs 2,84,000 for multiple medal finishes. In Judo, Mehak Singh was honoured with Rs 1,99,000 for her gold medal in the 52 kg category, while Akshay Kumar in Boxing secured Rs 1,99,000 for his gold in the 80 kg category. Coaches and managers were also felicitated with separate cash incentives in recognition of their contribution to the athletes’ performances.
 
Lauding the success of the PU medallists, Prof Vig said winning medals at national-level inter-university competitions is not easy as the competition is intense. She congratulated the players for bringing glory to the university.
 
Motivating the players, Prof Vig urged them to aim for the MAKA Trophy, which the university has won 16 times earlier. “You must go with a clear mindset that gold hi lena hai. We have to increase our competitive spirit. If we win maximum gold medals, only then will we get the overall trophy,” she said.
 
Prof Vig said the university has introduced several measures for the benefit of sportspersons. She said that as competitions and coaching camps often clash with examinations, the university has decided to adopt a liberal and sympathetic approach towards genuine academic difficulties faced by players.
 
Director Sports Dr. Rakesh Malik thanked PU Vice Chancellor for her leadership and supportive attitude towards the sportspersons while understanding their concerns and issues. Dr. Malik also thanked the Principals and sports staff of affiliated colleges and coaches of Punjab and UT Sports Department, who contributed immensely and extended untiring support to the Department of Sports in bringing laurels to the University.
 
Controller of Examinations Prof. Jagat Bhushan, Dean Student Welfare Prof. Yogesh Kumar Rawal, Dean College Development Council Prof. Ravi Inder Singh, large number of faculty members, coaches and students were present on the occasion.
 
Prof. Neena Seth Bhajni, President, Sports Committee, Prof. Amanendra Mann, Vice President, Sports Committee and various members of Panjab University Sports Committee, which has been formed to guide, frame policy and coordinate the sports activities, were present on the occasion, which consists of 26 leading Principals, Teachers and Officers of the University including Registrar.