New Delhi: What better stage for budding athletes to showcase their skills and test their competence level than a highly competitive event where athletes from different colleges and universities across India participate? Bennett University’s four-day inter-university sports meet ‘Sportikon 2.0’ proved to be one such platform for India’s future sports stars aiming to take the first steps towards building a professional sports career.

The marquee event successfully concluded on Sunday after four days of enthralling action across 14 sports disciplines. It was not just an event but also a workshop for students who want to pursue a career in sports.

Over 1,200 athletes from 51 colleges and universities across India participated in the four-day event with the winners bagging gold medals in sports such as football, powerlifting, shot put, and discus throw.

OP Jindal Global University from Sonipat, Haryana emerged victorious in cricket, tennis, table tennis, and chess.

(Image credit: Instagram/bennettuniv)

The event follows the vision of Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who has been instrumental in promoting the grassroots development of sports in India. Mr Thakur, the chief guest during the inauguration of the inter-university event, addressed the students virtually on February 22 and asked them to take sports as a feasible career option.

Bennett University’s 4-day sports extravaganza, Sportikon 2024 witnessed a motivating address by Shri Anurag Thakur, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports and Information and Broadcasting.
Watch it on YouTube- https://t.co/0pMoZHVRj6@ianuragthakur @Anurag_Office

— Bennett University (@bennettuniv) February 22, 2024

Mr Thakur also emphasised the contribution of India’s youth towards building a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and hailed sports for its vital life lessons.

He also highlighted how Khelo India and Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) have transformed the sports landscape in India. Mr Thakur revealed that over 300 sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,000 crore have been set up under the Khelo India initiative.

(Image credit: Instagram/bennettuniv)

Vineet Jain, Bennett University Chancellor and MD, The Times Group, heaped praise on the participants of ‘Sportikon 2.0’. “Bennett University fosters inclusivity, diversity and a fair sports culture by inviting participation from all segments,” he said.

The second edition of Sportikon witnessed a massive increase in the participation of the students. In the inaugural Sportikon, organised in 2023, 650 students took part in the four-day sports fest almost half the athletes that featured in ‘Sportikon 2.0’.