JALANDHAR: Lovely Professional University (LPU) honoured its students who represented India at the Paris Olympics in a grand ceremony. In a significant show of support, LPU awarded a total of ₹2.5 crore in cash prizes to these exceptional athletes, demonstrating the university’s commitment to fostering sports talent.
Among the honorees were 14 of the 24 LPU student Olympians, including wrestling star Vinesh Phogat and Indian hockey player Mandeep Singh. Vinesh Phogat, despite facing disqualification due to a mere 100-gram weight overage, was honoured with a ₹25 lakh cash prize. Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Rajya Sabha MP and Founder Chancellor of LPU, lauded Phogat as “Balali ki Jwalamukhi” and announced that LPU would sponsor 100 promising female athletes in her honour.
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In a bold move to celebrate Phogat’s achievements, LPU also revealed plans to introduce a dedicated chapter on her life in the university’s Physical Education program. Dr. Mittal emphasized LPU’s commitment to sports and its role in nurturing talent, stating, “We are dedicated to empowering our students to shine on the global stage.”
The ceremony, coinciding with National Sports Day, was marked by vibrant performances, heartfelt tributes, and a stunning show of patriotism. Olympians were paraded around the campus in open-top buses, cheered on by fellow students and faculty. Cultural performances and personalized artworks were presented in honor of the athletes, while para-gliders showered them with flowers and tricolours, creating a celebratory atmosphere.
In addition to Phogat, several other athletes were honored for their contributions to India’s Olympic team. This included hockey players Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Hardik, Harmanpreet Singh, and Shamsher Singh; boxing players Lovlina Borgohain, Preeti, and Jaismine Lamboria; weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu; wrestlers Antim Panghal and Anshu Malik; shooter Arjun Singh Cheema; and athletes Kiran Pahal, Vikash Singh, and Balraj Panwar. The remaining eight Olympians, including silver medallist Neeraj Chopra, are expected to visit LPU next month.
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The event underscored LPU’s impressive representation in the Olympics, with 21% of the Indian team comprising its students. This achievement places LPU as the second-largest contingent of student athletes globally, second only to Stanford University in the USA.
Reflecting on the university’s achievements, Dr. Mittal also announced a new initiative to provide job opportunities for Olympians within four years of graduation, further reinforcing LPU’s dedication to supporting its athletes both during and after their sporting careers. “We want to ensure that our students have every opportunity to succeed, not just in sports but in life,” he added.