Five national-level athletes have made their mark by securing admissions to the prestigious IIT Madras under the Sports Excellence Admission (SEA) category for the academic year 2024-25. These athletes not only excelled in sports but also met the rigorous academic requirements by qualifying the JEE Advanced 2024.
This initiative by IIT Madras aims to encourage young athletes to balance their academic aspirations with their sporting careers, fostering a holistic approach to education and sports.
The Selected Athletes and Their Achievements:
- Aryaman Mandal - Water Polo and Swimming (BTech, Computer Science and Engineering)
- Arohi Bhave - Volleyball (BS, Medical Sciences and Engineering)
- Prabhav Gupta - Table Tennis (BTech, AI and Data Science)
- Vangala Vedavachan Reddy - Lawn Tennis (BTech, AI and Data Science)
- Nandini Jain - Squash (BTech, Computer Science and Engineering)
Encouraging Sports and Education
The SEA programme offered two supernumerary seats this year, with one specifically reserved for a female athlete. The eligibility criteria included securing a rank on the Common Rank List (CRL) or a category-wise rank in JEE Advanced and winning at least one medal at a national or international sports competition.
Professor V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the programme's significance, stating, “The admission through sports excellence is an initiative to encourage children to actively engage in sports alongside academics. We hope this message reaches all concerned stakeholders.”
Professor Mahesh Panchagnula emphasized the importance of leveraging technology in sports, saying, “IIT Madras is committed to using technology to improve athlete and coach performance. The SEA programme reflects our dedication to nurturing talent in both fields.”
Pioneering an Integrated Future
This unique programme underlines IIT Madras' efforts to integrate sports excellence with academic pursuits, setting a benchmark for other institutions. It serves as an inspiration for aspiring student-athletes across India, reinforcing the message that with dedication and hard work, one can excel in both academics and sports.
