LPU Celebrates Olympians with Rs 2.5 Crore in Cash Prizes

Lovely Professional University (LPU) awarded Rs 2.5 crore in cash prizes to its students who represented India at the Paris Olympics, including wrestling star Vinesh Phogat and Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh. The event coincided with National Sports Day, featuring vibrant performances and tributes.

In a grand celebration of athletic achievement, Lovely Professional University (LPU) in New Delhi awarded a remarkable Rs 2.5 crore in cash prizes to its students who represented India at the Paris Olympics. The event on campus welcomed 14 of the 24 Olympians, including notable names like wrestling star Vinesh Phogat and Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh.

Despite her disqualification by a mere 100 grams, Vinesh Phogat was honored with a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, affirming her champion status in the university's eyes. Dr. Ashok Kumar Mittal, Rajya Sabha MP and Founder Chancellor of LPU, hailed Vinesh as 'Balali ki Jwalamukhi' and announced a commitment to sponsor 100 promising female athletes in her honor. Additionally, Dr. Mittal introduced a dedicated chapter on Vinesh Phogat in LPU's Physical Education curriculum. The ceremony, coinciding with National Sports Day, featured vibrant performances and heartfelt tributes from fellow students. Olympians were celebrated with open-top bus parades, cultural performances, personalized artworks, and a stunning display from para-gliders showering flowers and tricolours on the athletes, creating an inspiring atmosphere of camaraderie and pride.

Dr. Mittal expressed his enthusiasm for the athletes' return, emphasizing LPU's commitment to nurturing talent. 'We are dedicated to empowering our students to shine on the global stage,' he said. He also announced a new program providing job opportunities for Olympians within four years, underscoring LPU's dedication to supporting its athletes. During the ceremony, Vinesh Phogat, an Olympic player and LPU student, remarked, 'If you want to be a winner like me, then you have to be mad like me for the sport.'

Among the athletes honored at the ceremony were hockey players Harmanpreet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Hardik, Shamsher Singh (BA), Gurjant Singh (MBA), boxing players Lovlina Borgohain (BA), Preeti (B.Sc), Jaismine Lamboria (B.P.E.D), weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (MA), wrestling players Vinesh (MA), Antim Panghal (MA), Anshu Malik (MA), shooter Arjun Singh Cheema (MA), and athletes Kiran Pahal (BA), Vikash Singh, and Balraj Panwar (BBA). The remaining eight Olympians, including silver medallist Neeraj Chopra, are expected to visit the alma mater next month. Notably, LPU students represented 21% of the Indian team for Paris 2024, making LPU the second-largest contingent of students globally after Stanford University, USA.

(With inputs from agencies.)