Who is the recipient of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is (4):
The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy is a prestigious national sports award instituted by the Government of India in the year 1956-57. Its singular and consistent purpose is to acknowledge and honor the overall top-performing **University** in competitive sports over the preceding year. This is a rolling trophy, meaning the winning university retains it for a year before it is presented to the next winner. This award recognizes the institution that has made the best contribution to competitive sports by encouraging participation, ensuring excellence, and developing the overall sports culture within the university system. The accompanying cash prize is specifically intended for the promotion of sports and improvement of facilities at the winning university.

The incorrect option is (1):
The MAKA Trophy is not awarded to a **State**. India's national sports awards are designed to recognize various levels of performance and contribution, and the MAKA Trophy's mandate is explicitly restricted to the university sector. While states play a vital role in developing sports talent and infrastructure, this particular trophy does not assess or reward a state's overall performance. Awarding a State would dilute the scheme's core objective, which is to foster a competitive environment and excellence specifically among students in higher education institutions as measured through Inter-University tournaments and other events.

The incorrect option is (2):
The award is not given to **A Coach**. The Government of India has a separate, highly esteemed award specifically to honor coaches who have produced outstanding sportspeople: the Dronacharya Award. This distinction is crucial in the national awards framework, ensuring that the coach's dedication and guidance are recognized independently. The MAKA Trophy, in contrast, rewards the **University** for providing the enabling environment, resources, and institutional support that allows both players and coaches to succeed collectively.

The incorrect option is (3):
The MAKA Trophy is not presented to **A Player**. A separate national award, the Arjuna Award, is designated to recognize individual sportspersons for their consistently outstanding performance over a period of time. While the performance of a university's students is instrumental in winning the MAKA Trophy, the award itself is an institutional honor for the body that facilitates that excellence. It is designed to motivate the entire educational institution to prioritize and invest in sports, rather than singling out one individual's achievement.