GS Pehlwan Kushti Akhara opens at PAU

Not forgetting its roots and traditional sport, the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) opened the Dr Gulzar Singh Pehlwan Uchhi Rurki Wala Kushti Akhara for students on the university campus today. Inaugurating the ‘akhara’, Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, lauded the Directorate of Students’ Welfare for this well-thought-off decision as wrestling had been a prominent traditional sport of Punjab and favourite of Punjabis.

Several sportspersons have been participating in wrestling competitions at the PAU, he said, while making a mention of a noted Canada-based PAU alumnus Dr Gulzar Singh Pehlwan, who had carved a unique place for himself in bodybuilding and wrestling at the national level as a student.

Further, Gosal hailed Dr Gulzar’s philanthropic nature, who had donated Rs 20 lakh to the PAU for the promotion of wrestling in the university. Of this, Rs 5 lakh have been spent on the establishment of the ‘akhara’ and the interest on the remaining Rs 15 lakh will be given as prize to the winners, he said.

The Director of Students’ Welfare, Nirmal Jaura, also applauded Dr Gulzar’s far-sightedness and his deep attachment to his roots at the PAU, while residing in a foreign country. He inspired the students to keep this traditional sport of Punjab alive by practicing and participating in the national-wrestling events.