PU sends largest contingent to Khelo India Uni Games; footballers aim gold medal
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 21
Panjab University, who clinched gold at the All India University competition, will be aiming to replicate their performance at the KIUG beginning February 22 at Bhubaneswar.
Over the years, most of the talented football players in India have risen from the northeastern states, Kerala and West Bengal. However, ahead of the Khelo India University Games (KIUG), the tide seems to have turned.
Punjab has produced some of the best talent in the past and clubs like JCT FC have played a major role in this development. Over the past few years, there was a considerable dip in the performance of the state when it came to football. “All the football teams at the University Games will be good, but I think the University of Kerala will pose a tough competition for us. We won gold at the All India University competition in December after defeating Punjabi University in the final. We will look to replicate our performance at the Khelo India University Games,” said Jatin Yadav from Panjab University. Yadav added that the university has provided all the necessary equipment to the players for their training. “The coaches and the teachers at our university are helping us a lot. We have been provided with all the equipment for our preparations. We carry out our practice sessions at the university,” said the 20-year-old.
Tapas Mazumdar from Kolkata University feels that Adamas University from Kolkata and Panjab University from Chandigarh will pose a tough challenge for them.
“The Adamas University from Kolkata and Panjab University will be the tough competitors for us at the Khelo India University Games. I have not played in any of the Khelo India Games. However, I have heard a lot about them. So we will perform well and make a mark in the competition,” said the defender. Mazumdar added that the KIUG will be a good platform for all athletes to showcase their talent. “I feel the Games will be a good platform for us to showcase our skills. The competition will help me move forward in my football career. It’s great to see the Indian government starting many initiatives to improve the sporting culture in India,” said the 22-year-old.
Kannur University missed out on a medal at the All India University competition and therefore they are determined to perform well at the Games.
“I think the Punjabi University of Patiala will be a tough competitor for us. We finished fourth at the All India University competition so we are definitely looking to win a medal at the Khelo India University Games. We are confident that we will put up a good performance in the competition,” said Sudhin PV from Kannur University.
Maximum number of players from PU and GNDU
With 191 and 183 athletes, respectively, Panjab University and Amritsar’s Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) will have the largest contingents in the Khelo India University Games. These numbers reflect the intense competition between the two universities in the past year, with Panjab University winning the prestigious Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy in August 2019 — after a gap of 13 years.
Maharshi Dayanand University (Rohtak) is the only other contingent that exceeds 150 athletes. Punjabi University and Kurukshetra University complete the list of five teams with more than 100 athletes.
