Manav Rachna Launches ‘Glory of 5 Rings’ to Celebrate Sports Legacy and Olympic Spirit – Legendary Olympians join for a Grand Opening & Discussion Forum   

Manav Rachna Educational Institutions (MREI) proudly launched ‘Glory of 5 Rings,’ to commemorate the spirit of Olympics and nurture a spark for sportsmanship among its students. The grand inauguration, held today, marks the beginning of this inspiring journey leading up to the Paris Olympics that are set to commence in a few days. The ‘Glory of 5 Rings’ initiative aims to educate students about sportsmanship, inspire them through the stories of legendary athletes, and celebrate Manav Rachna’s achievements in sports. This initiative will feature workshops, competitions, and interactive sessions with renowned sports personalities, designed to ignite a passion for sports among students.

Manav Rachna’s devout commitment to nurturing sports talent had led to it being honored with the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar (National Sports Promotion Award) by the then President of India in 2021. Many of its alumni have competed and won at prestigious events such as the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and the Olympics. This year, Manav Rachna fraternity is proud to have Shreyasi Singh, an esteemed alumna, and Anish Bhanwala, a current student, represent India at the Paris Olympics in the shooting sport. Gagan Narang, the Chef De Mission for this year’s Olympics is a Manav Rachna alumnus, and Ronjan Sodhi, former World No. 1 and world record holder in double trap shooting has been associated with Manav Rachna to mentor young students who show indefatigable spirit to make it huge in the world of sports. PV Sindhu, the female flag bearer of the Indian Sports Team to Olympics this year, is widely celebrated by the Manav Rachna fraternity and was a Manav Rachna Excellence Award recipient.

The ‘Glory of 5 Rings’ was inaugurated with a symbolic balloon release by six eminent Olympians, Mr. Yogeshwar Dutt; Mr. Dilip Tirkey; Mr. Manavjit Singh Sandhu; Mr. Om Prakash Singh Karhana; Ms. Rani Rampal; and Mr. Ronjan Sodhi. They also featured in a lively discussion forum that was moderated by Mr. Digvijay Singh Deo of WION Sports.

The Indian Wrestling Champion and Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt highlighted “Competing in the Olympics is the pinnacle of every athlete’s aspirations. The journey of a sportsperson is arduous and fraught with challenges. There are moments when an athlete must rebuild their career from the ground up, necessitating immense mental resilience in addition to physical prowess.” Dilip Tirkey, Olympian and Former Captain of the Indian Hockey Team expressed that representing the nation in this sport is a profound honor. “Today’s youth, aspiring for a career in sports, have significantly more opportunities than we once did. Set your sights high, work with unwavering determination, and pursue success relentlessly.”

Olympian Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Trap Shooter said, “To aspiring athletes, I offer this meaningful message: participation in sports is a triumph in itself. Let neither defeat nor victory overshadow your passion and dedication. Embrace every challenge and continue pushing forward with unwavering resolve.”

Om Prakash Singh Karhana, Olympian and an Indian Shot Put Champion mentioned “Participating in the Olympics is an unparalleled honor, and athletes invest years of rigorous preparation for each medal. Just as every field has its struggles, athletes face substantial challenges in sports. I take immense pride in contributing to India’s success on the global stage.” Sports have the potential to change lives and highlighting this, Rani Rampal, Olympian and Indian Hockey Player said “I embarked on my Olympic journey in 2008 during the Olympic Qualifiers and am proud to have been part of the team that secured a medal for our nation. From sports, I have learned the invaluable lesson of perseverance. When faced with setbacks, we should not abandon our goals but instead seek alternative paths to achieve success.” She extended her gratitude to Manav Rachna for being invited to such an initiative for the students.

Dr. Amit Bhalla, Vice President, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions mentioned “At Manav Rachna Educational Institutions, we mission is to deliver premier education while nurturing exceptional sports talent. Our unwavering commitment to youth sports engagement, elite training, and robust support for India’s athletes is paramount. Olympics 2024 holds special significance, as two of our distinguished alumni are set to represent India on the global stage.”

Mr. Ronjan Sodhi, Olympian and Double Trap Shooter expressed  “Every Olympic athlete competes with unyielding ambition and fervor to secure a medal. I am honored to witness this glorious celebration of Olympians at Manav Rachna. Their dedication and success inspire us all, showcasing the remarkable talent nurtured within our institution.”