Shivaji University, Kolhapur won the athletics championship for second successive time at 25th Maharashtra State Inter-University Sports Festival ‘Krida Mahotsav’ that concluded at the Sports Complex of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), on Monday. With a total 124 points, defending champions Shivaji University, ran away with the title. Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) finished second with 96 points whereas, hosts Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University finished third with 72 points.

 

RTMNU athletes won two medals on the last day of the championship. Adarsh Bhure sprinted away with a gold in 200m clocking 21.80 seconds. This was Bhure’s second gold in the tournament after he claimed the 100m yellow metal on Saturday. The 4x400m relay women’s team claimed the gold medal. Hosts’ Neha Dhabale was declared as the best female athlete for garnering 938 points. Whereas, Nikhil Dhake from the University of Mumbai became the best men athlete with 961 points. Shivaji University won three gold, as many silver and two bronze medals taking their tally to 19 medals. SPPU finished second in tally with 13 medals and RTMNU at third position with 10 medals in their kitty. ‘The Hitavada’ talked with Sharad Bansode, Director, Sports and Physical Education, Shivaji University, Kolhapur to understand the nuances of the distinctive performance exhibited by its athletes. Bansode attributed the success of athletics squad to the Mission Olympic taken up by the university.

 

“The university has launched a unique course, BA (Sports) for the athletes. It is only one of its kind courses in Maharashtra. To attract the athletics talent to take up this course, the university offers cash incentives, free accommodation and modern infrastructure,” said Bansode. In men’s basketball, SP Pune University (72 points) beat BAMU Aurangabad (46 points) to claim the gold medal while in women’s category, Mumbai University (63 points) stunned Nagpur University (41 points) to clinch the top prize. In the women’s third place match, SP Pune University (42 points) beat Shivaji University Kolhapur (35 points) while in men’s section, Mumbai University (93 points) beat HSNC University, Mumbai (63 points).