Sec 32 college win twin titles
Players of Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma (GGDSD), Sector 32, won laurels for the college by winning the overall trophy (A Division) in both men and women categories of the Panjab University Annual Sports Prize Distribution Function at the campus gymnasium hall. The Sector 32 college won the Sir Shadi Lal Trophy in the men’s category and the PL Bhains Trophy in the women’s event.
The women’s contingent of the college won in 15 sporting disciplines, including archery, kayaking, table tennis, canoeing, sepak takraw, squash, taekwondo, dragon boat, athletics, badminton, gymnastics mallakhamb, karate and yoga, while the Jarg Trophy was secured for outstanding peformance in handball. The men’s team secured victory for the fourth consecutive year.
In the women’s section, the GGDSD College has been securing the runners-up trophy for the past three years.
Meanwhile, Govind National College, Narangwal (Ludhiana), bagged the overall top position in the men’s (B Division) category, while in the women’s (B Division) category, Maharaj Lal Dass Brahma Nand Bhuriwale Garibdassi Girls College, Tapprian Khurd (Nawanshahr), won the overall title. In the men’s (C Division), Government College of Education, Sector 20, won the men’s overall trophy, while in the women’s (C Division) category, the Government College of Yoga Education, Sector 23, bagged the top honours.
Panjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Renu Vig, along with Olympic bronze medallist and PU alumnus Sarabjot Singh, Asian Games gold medallist and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Punjab Police Sunita Rani, Abhishek Rana and university Director of Physical Education & Sports Rakesh Malik, presented the winners with certificates and cash awards.
Sarabjot Singh, chief guest, encouraged students to pursue excellence in sports and academics and shared insights from his journey as an Olympian, inspiring young athletes to aim for greater heights.
“Sportspersons possess many qualities that are crucial to success in life, whether on or off the field. They are inherently hardworking, dedicated and resilient. One of the most important traits they develop is the ability to face both victories and setbacks with equal grace. They do not lose heart, but instead, learn from each experience,” said the VC. She also referred to Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, who was disqualified from the final match at the Olympics due to being just 100 grams overweight. The VC encouraged the players to learn from such examples and remain determined in the face of challenges.
Besides Dronacharya-awardees Sarvjot Singh Pannu (athletics) and Shiv Singh (Boxing), the event was attended by the principals of affiliated colleges, members of the Panjab University Sports Committee, teachers from various institutions and other dignitaries of the university.