Pune(thestates.news) | Olympian boxer Vijender Singh on Tuesday said that success is inevitable when athletes take responsibility for their failures and work on their shortcomings instead of blaming others. “Sport teaches us how to handle both success and failure. One must stay grounded in victory and resilient in defeat,” he said.
Singh was speaking at the inauguration of the 8th Vishwanath Sports Meet (VSM–2026), one of the country’s largest national inter-collegiate and inter-university sports events, organised by MIT Art, Design and Technology University (MIT ADT), Pune.
Highlighting the changing mindset towards sports in India, Singh said the country is currently witnessing a golden phase in the sports sector. “Earlier, parents pushed children only towards academics. Today, they encourage sports as a career. In such times, large-scale sporting platforms like VSM play a crucial role in nurturing talent,” he said, while praising MIT ADT University for its world-class sports infrastructure.
The event was attended by Vinit Kumar, deputy director general and senior executive director of the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Sports Authority of India; Trupti Murgunde, Major Dhyan Chand Award-winning badminton player; Prof. Dr. Mangesh Karad, executive president and chancellor; Dr Sunita Karad, executive director; Prof. Dr Rajesh S., vice-chancellor; Everest mountaineer Dr Sara Safari; Arjuna Award-winning boxer Manoj Pingale, along with other senior officials.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Sunita Karad said India’s sports culture is evolving rapidly, with recent national and international events creating a vibrant sporting environment. “Platforms like VSM provide young athletes from both rural and urban backgrounds an opportunity to showcase their potential at the university level,” she said, adding that MIT ADT has invested significantly in developing global-standard sports facilities.
The programme began with a world peace prayer, followed by the hoisting of the competition flag and a ceremonial guard of honour by Manet Cadets. The inaugural ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.
