Savitribai Phule Pune University Felicitates Top Athletes at Annual Sports Awards Ceremony

Pune, 15th March 2026: The Annual Sports Awards Distribution Ceremony organised by the Board of Sports and Physical Education of Savitribai Phule Pune University was held on Friday at the Swarajyarakshak Dharmavir Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj – Irawati Karve Social Sciences Complex Auditorium. The event was conducted under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi.

Addressing students and athletes, Arjuna Award-winning Olympian runner Kavita Raut emphasised the importance of dedication and perseverance in achieving success. She said that whether in sports or life, hard work, determination and consistency are essential.

“There is no shortcut to success. It can only be achieved through discipline, persistence and continuous effort,” she said, encouraging young athletes to remain focused on their goals.
Rajiv Jalnapurkar, Chief Executive Officer of Ramoji Film City and a recipient of the Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award for Mallakhamb, also addressed the gathering. He said success in academics or sports is possible only when individuals develop genuine passion for what they do. “With determination, consistency and love for the activity, any goal can be achieved,” he said.

During the ceremony, the university felicitated athletes who delivered outstanding performances in the West Zone Inter-University Competitions, All India Inter-University Competitions and the Khelo India competitions. Students who secured first, second and third positions in various individual and team events at the Maharashtra State Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Inter-University Sports Festival 2024 were also honoured.

Six university athletes who represented the Indian University team at the World University Games held in Germany were felicitated during the event. Among them, tennis player Vaishnavi Adkar received special recognition for winning a bronze medal at the international tournament.
The Late Dr. Vasantrao Nivrutti Pawar Trophy for the ‘Outstanding College’ for the academic year 2024–25 was awarded to K.T.H.M. College, Nashik, which is managed by the Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj.

Athletes who excelled in the All India Inter-University Competitions were honoured with the “Pailwan Khashaba Jadhav Gold Medal.” In the men’s category, the award was presented to Mangesh Takamoge of Premraj Sarda College, Ahilyanagar, for cycling. In the women’s category, the medal was awarded to Diksha Sandeep Yadav of Baburao Golap College, Pune, for swimming. Each award carried a cash prize of ₹51,000.

Among those present were Vice-Chancellor Dr. Suresh Gosavi, Olympian Kavita Raut, Rajiv Jalnapurkar, University Director of Sports Dr. Sudam Shelke, Management Council members Ravindra Shingnapurkar and Dr. Sangita Jagtap, Senate members Dr. Ramesh Gaikwad, Sumit Dhore and Krishna Bhandalkar, School of Education Director Dr. Vilas Adhav, and Head of the Department of Education and Extension Dr. Geeta Shinde. Members of the University Sports Board, Directors of Physical Education and several athletes also attended the programme.

The event was anchored by Dr. Tushar Gujar, Dr. Dinesh Karad and Dr. Suhas Bhairat. The programme was organised under the initiative of Dr. Sudam Shelke, Assistant Director of Sports (Additional Charge) of the Board of Sports and Physical Education.