Lucknow: Ending Lucknow University’s 25-year wait for a national gold medal in athletics, MA sociology student Ravi Kumar Pal will receive the Pirie Memorial Gold Medal for best sportsperson during LU’s convocation ceremony to be held on Friday.Pal, a student of LU-affiliated Hazari Lal Mahavidyalaya in Sitapur, clinched national gold in the half marathon.The Raja Shanker Sahai of Maurawan Gold Medal, awarded to a student with best academic record, will be presented to Alok Kumar Arya. A black belt in karate, Arya has won two international medals while representing the university and has also excelled academically in the Master of Physical Education (MPEd) programme.Son of a marginal farmer, Pal said he aspires to represent India at the international level. “My father, Ram Prakash, is a farmer in Sitapur. My goal is to build a career in sports and contribute towards promoting sporting culture in the country,” he said.Medal winner Alok Kumar Arya said, “Along with a gold medal in international karate tournament, I have four research papers published in an international journal. I am happy that I am receiving this medal for my academic and sports record.”Lucknow University Athletic Association general secretary Prof Ajay Kumar Arya said Ravi Kumar Pal’s achievement brought the university its first national athletics gold medal in 25 years, while Alok Kumar Arya’s international success and academic excellence reflected the growing standard of LU athletes. “Performance of Ravi and Alok helps strengthen Lucknow University’s representation in the Khelo India Games,” he said.
