Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy- History, Significance and Recipients

Updated February 22, 2023

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, also known as MAKA Trophy is one of the most prestigious awards in Indian sports. The award is given to the Indian Universities for having the highest overall athletic performance in events held at the inter-university, national, and international levels.

The trophy has a long and rich history, dating back to the 1950s when it was first introduced. In this article, we will explore the history, significance, winners, and controversies of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy.

History of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy

The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy was first introduced in 1956 by the UGC. It was named after Abul Kalam Azad, often known as Maulana Azad, who served as the first Minister of Education in independent India and was a key figure in the Indian independence movement.

The trophy was initially awarded to the university that performed the best in inter-university athletics. Over the years, the trophy has evolved, and today it is awarded to the university that performs the best in a variety of sports and games.

It is awarded every year by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Although the original trophy is not given to the winner, a replica of the Trophy and cash prize are given, which is to be used for enhancing the level of sports.

Every year, four universities are nominated for this trophy based on the grading system used by the committee. The winner is declared by the Indian government, which receives “a rolling MAKA trophy and a cash prize of rupees 15 lakhs (US$19,000)”.

The second and Third rankers also receive a cash Prize of 7.5 lakh rupees ($9,400) and 4.5 lakh rupees ($5,600), respectively. There are six universities, that the trophy many times.

The trophy has been won 22 times by Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, most recently in the academic year 2017–2018. The trophy has been won by Delhi University in Delhi 14 times, most recently in the years 2000–2001, while Panjab University in Chandigarh has won it 15 times, most recently in the year 2020.

Other winners include Kurukshetra University in Kurukshetra, Punjabi University in Patiala, and Bombay University in Mumbai, which took home the first award.

Importance of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy

Sports improve blood circulation, lower blood sugar, regulate weight, and reduce stress. A healthy balance of physical and mental development can be achieved through athletics, which helps tonify muscles and strengthen bones. Students who participate in sports learn the value of living a healthy lifestyle.

The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it plays a vital role in promoting sports in India. The trophy encourages universities to invest in sports infrastructure and provide training and support to their athletes. This, in turn, helps to develop a culture of sports in universities and promotes healthy competition among students.

Secondly, the trophy is significant in promoting inter-university sports in India. It provides a platform for universities to showcase their sporting talent and compete against each other at a national level. This helps to foster a sense of unity and national identity among students from different parts of India.

Many of India’s top athletes, including cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, have competed in the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy in their student days. The competition has helped to identify and nurture talented athletes, many of whom have gone on to represent India at the international level.

Since 1956, the Trophy has been awarded a total of 64 times. The main purpose of this initiative is to promote and encourage athletic competition, excellence in sports, and the integration of sports and physical fitness among Indian schools and universities.

List of the Trophy Recipients, Showing the Year, University & City

Who was Abul Kalam Azad?

Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al-Hussaini Azad was born on November 11, 1888. He was an Islamic theologian, Indian Independence activist, Writer, and senior leader of the Indian National Congress. He was a firm believer in the importance of education and sports in the development of a nation.

Abul Kalam became the First Minister of Education in India. His birthday is celebrated as National Education Day across India, for his great contribution to establishing the education foundation in India.

Abul started writing poems in Urdu, as well as treatises on religion and philosophy at a very young age. He earned recognition through his job as a journalist, where he published articles criticizing the British Raj and supporting Indian nationalism.

Abul became the leader of the Khilafat Movement, which allowed him to work closely with Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s ideas of non-violent civil disobedience influenced him a lot that he became an enthusiastic supporter and worked to organize the non-cooperation campaign in opposition to the 1919 Rowlatt Acts.

Abul dedicated himself to advancing Gandhi’s ideas, especially the cause of Swaraj (Self-rule) for India and the promotion of Swadeshi (indigenous) goods. He gained the position of President of the Indian National Congress in 1923 at the age of 35, making him the youngest person to do so.

In October 1930, he was elected as a member of the founding committee to establish Jamia Millia Islamia at Aligarh in U. P without the help of the British government. In 1934, he helped with the relocation of the university’s campus from Aligarh to New Delhi.

He is honoured by having his name on the main entrance of the university’s main campus. From 1940 to 1945, while he was the president of Congress, the Quit India uprising got underway. Together with the rest of the Congress leadership, Azad was imprisoned. He also promoted unity between Hindus and Muslims through the Al-Hilal journal.

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