Photo : CU Punjab VC Prof Tiwari and Chief Guest presenting Overall Championship Trophy to the Winners
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Bathinda, March 21: The Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab) successfully organized its Annual Sports Meet on March 19–20, 2026, culminating in a vibrant valedictory ceremony held under the esteemed patronage of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari. The valedictory ceremony was graced by Air Commodore Pradeep Batra, YSM, Air Officer Commanding, Air Force Station Bhisiana, Bathinda, as the Chief Guest, accompanied by Mrs. Payal Batra as the Guest of Honour. Shri Karamjeet Singh, Pradhan, Gurudwara Sahib, Ghudda, attended as the Special Guest.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Mander, Head, Department of Physical Education and Director of Sports, informed that the Intramural Sports Competitions commenced on August 29, 2025, marking National Sports Day in tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. He highlighted that a wide range of sporting events were organized during the session, including football, volleyball, cricket, kabaddi, badminton, and basketball, along with traditional indigenous games such as tug of war, gilli danda, and seven stones. Track and field events included the 100m and 200m races, 4×50m and 4×100m relays, long jump, and shot put. Special sprint events for staff wards were also conducted.
The highlights of the valedictory ceremony included the finals of the 100m sprint and tug of war events. In the prestigious 100m sprint, Mr. Abhishek Tiwari (Department of Law) and Ms. Pritiksha (Department of Physical Education) secured gold medals in the male and female categories, respectively. Among the teaching staff, Dr. Pritam Singh (Department of Geography) won the 100m race, while Mr. Akashdeep clinched gold in the non-teaching staff category. The Department of Physical Education dominated the tug of war event, winning in both men’s and women’s categories.
A major highlight of this year’s sports meet was the introduction of arm wrestling, which witnessed enthusiastic participation. Notably, the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Tiwari, Registrar Dr. Vijay Sharma, and Finance Officer Dr. Raj Kumar Sharma also participated, encouraging students and emphasizing the importance of physical fitness.
The event concluded with a grand prize distribution ceremony where Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari along with Chief Guest and invited guests awarded prizes to winners. The Overall Championship Running Trophy for the 2025–26 session was awarded to the Department of Physical Education. Mr. Abhishek Tiwari and Ms. Pritiksha were adjudged Best Student Athletes (Male and Female), respectively. Dr. Deepak Pandey received the Best Teaching Athlete (Male) award, while Mr. Sujal Thakur was honoured as the Best Non-Teaching Athlete (Male).
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Air Commodore Pradeep Batra highlighted the importance of regular physical activity for overall well-being and personality development. He encouraged students to consider careers in the Indian Armed Forces and motivated those in science and technology disciplines to contribute to defence research and innovation.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. M. John, who expressed gratitude to the invited guests and university administration and thanked participants for their collective efforts in making the event a grand success.
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