PU, Punjabi varsity at loggerheads : The Tribune India

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PU, Punjabi varsity at loggerheads

CHANDIGARH:The fight for Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy has become intense as Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, and Punjabi University, Patiala, have questioned the grant of points to each other during certain events.



Deepankar Sharda 

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 19

The fight for Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy has become intense as Panjab University (PU), Chandigarh, and Punjabi University, Patiala, have questioned the grant of points to each other during certain events.     

The trophy is awarded to the university with the highest sporting points in a calendar year, on August 29 — National Sports Day.

While Punjabi University has accused PU of not conducting the All-India Inter-University Yachting Championship events as per the subscribed list to favour its athletes, PU has raised questions at the award of 22,150 points to the Patiala-based institution in the tug-of-war alone.    

Punjabi University is currently leading the chart with a total 89,635 points, followed by PU at 66,495 points. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, is in third place at 50,640 points.

During a meeting organised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the Patiala University accused PU of claiming wrong points in order to top the points table.

Punjabi University alleged that PU had fielded ineligible set of players/player during the All-India Inter-University Sepak Takraw Championship. 

The complainant submitted all the documents of a player under question; claiming that the athlete while being enrolled in a Lucknow-based university represented PU in sepak takraw. 

“Panjab University fielded ineligible players in the sepak takraw championship. We have submitted all the proofs…The player is studying in GGD SD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, and has been representing PU in sepak takraw events. However, the player is appearing for exams from some other university. We have submitted her roll number/enrolment number along with the branch and college name from where she is appearing for the examination. The result card shows that she is a regular student of Rakshpal Bahadur College of Pharmacy, Bareilly, under DR APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Lucknow,” alleged Dalbir Singh, a representative of Punjabi University. 

The charge, however, has been strongly refuted by PU. “The player is very much our student and is affiliated to PU. We have submitted all the proofs to the AIU committee and we should let them decided on it,” said PU Sports Director Parminder Singh.

Dalbir Singh also alleged that while hosting the All-India Inter-University Yachting Championship, the PU had not organised the events as per the rules. 

“PU conducted non-listed events while hosting the All-India Inter-University Yatching Championship, to favour their team. The events, including 1,500m race, are not listed as per the rules and regulation of the international body. But PU conducted such events to take the benefit,” alleged Dalbir Singh. 

He also accused PU of claiming wrong points for a joint third place finish in the All-India Inter-University American Football Championship organised by MDU Rohtak. 

Punjabi University representative went further to allege that the AIU committee was “supporting” PU as its Director had “good relations” with the AIU Joint Secretary, Sports. 

“Why the decision to award the MAKA Trophy is going to court for the past six years,” Dalbir Singh asked even as Punjabi University retained the cup for the fifth consecutive year in 2016.  

“It means there is something wrong. The person responsible for this is favouring people just for the sake of improving his personal relations,” said Dalbir.      

Parminder Singh, though, said: “From the past eight years, same events (yachting) had been organised by the host universities. We have submitted the data in which Punjabi University has hosted the same event thrice and Guru Nanak Dev University and PU had hosted it two times each.” 

“Regarding Patiala University’s allegation of claiming joint third position in American Football, it was awarded to us by the host university. It was their decision not ours. So how can we withdraw our points? Even Punjabi University has claimed points for finishing joint third in baseball,” he said. 

Parminder Singh further said Punjabi University has claimed 22,150 points in tug of war event, which is quite surprising. “They have claimed a huge chunk of points in tug of war. On a surprising note, they have also organised beach tug of war in Patiala. Where did they find a beach in Patiala for conducting the championship?” he asked.

The AIU after scrutinising the points claimed by the respective universities forward the winner’s name to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. 

The winner is awarded the MAKA Trophy on National Sports Day by the President of India.

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